The following is a list of characters that appear in the American animated series ThunderCats, its 2011 reboot, ThunderCats Roar, and its related media.
Jaga (voiced by Earl Hammond in the original series, Corey Burton in the 2011 series, Larry Kenney in the 2020 series) is also known as "Jaga the Wise" and is based on the jaguar. This elder warrior was once regarded as the mightiest and greatest of all Thundercats by Lion-O himself. In his youth, Jaga was the Lord of the Thundercats, and rescued a young Hachiman from being trapped in the Jade Dragon (which later became a part of the Treasure of Thundera). An adviser and protector of the Lord's family, Jaga wielded the "Sword of Omens" and was a formidable fighter in combat. After Claudus was blinded, Jaga became the main guardian of the Eye of Thundera, the Sword of Omens, and the Treasure of Thundera. It was Jaga who gathered the nobles of the Thundercats to escort Lion-O and the Eye of Thundera to safety, but did not survive the trip to Third Earth as he volunteered to pilot the damaged ship while the others slept. Because of this, Jaga died of old age. However, Jaga does reappear on Third Earth as a ghost (seen only by Lion-O at first) to guide him in his lessons and adventures. At times, he appears before the other Thundercats as well such as when facing down Grune the Destroyer's ghost and when the Thundercats need to rescue their fellow Thunderians. Jaga's physical body does reappear at one point during the original series in the episode "The Astral Prison" where he was trapped in another dimension, prompting Lion-O to travel there to rescue him from being held captive by an evil inhabitant of said dimension. His fate as a physical living entity after this was never revealed, but his spirit form continued to appear throughout the series.
In the 2011 series, Jaga serves as head of Thundera's cleric warriors, possessing a knowledge of ancient secrets, superhuman speed, projecting lightning from his staff. In his prime, he used the "Sword of Omens" in an epic duel against Ratilla. At the start of the series, Jaga sacrifices himself to ensure Lion-O and his group escape. This resulted with him being tortured into revealing the location of the "Book of Omens" to Mumm-Ra, though doing his best to resist the villain's magic when sealed within a lantern, eventually his free will wavers along with his physical form. Though Jaga destroys the lantern that was keeping his soul intact to save Lion-O from Mumm-Ra, his soul took residence within the Book of Omens and becomes Lion-O's guide. In the 2-part "The Trials of Lion-O" Pt. 1, Lion-O encounters Jaga in the entrance to the Spirit World. Jaga tells Lion-O of the challenges he must undergo to gain a second chance in life. But when he failed the final test, Jaga allows Lion-O to return to the living long enough to save the other ThunderCats though it would exile Lion-O's soul to Limbo by sunrise. However, once saving his friends, Lion-O learns from Jaga that it was actually a test like the other challenges and allows Lion-O to remain among the living. Jaga character was described as being based on "Wisdom".
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Main article: Lion-O |
Lion-O (voiced by Larry Kenney in the original series, Will Friedle and Tara Strong (young) in the 2011 series,[1][2][3][4] Max Mittelman in the 2020 series) is the leader and the hereditary "Lord of the Thundercats". Lion-O, based on the lion, 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", the sword was created from the same star as the sword of plundar, the eye of thundera is the eye which belonged to a beast who was as gigantic as the mountain. He held immense power and was imprisoned in the gem forged by the ancestors of Jaga,[5] who sacrificed themselves to save the Thunderians from his wrath, as well as the Claw Shield, a gauntlet that launches grappling lines from its claws. A mere child of twelve years old at the time of Thundera's destruction, Lion-O aged to adulthood during the trip to Third Earth when his suspension capsule failed to prevent him from aging too much.[6] Although cunning and skillful, he is truly a child in a man's body, and throughout the series, must learn what it takes to become a true leader and gain true maturity.
In the latter half of the show's first season, Lion-O has to put all that he has learned to use in the "Anointment Trials", which consist of contests of strength, speed, cunning, and intelligence (this last is referred to as "mind-power" in the story arc) against each of the other Thundercats. (Complicating matters for Lion-O is the fact that he is required to be unarmed for the contests; moreover, the other Thundercats are not permitted to assist him. The Mutants attempt, but ultimately without success, to take advantage of this last in an effort to leave the Thundercats leaderless.) Ultimately triumphing over Mumm-Ra in a final battle ("The Trial Of Evil") in the heart of the villain's pyramid in which he discovers that Mumm-Ra, like any Egyptian mummy, is dependent upon his sarcophagus, Lion-O is crowned the true Lord of the Thundercats in a grand inaugural ceremony attended by nearly every inhabitant of Third Earth.
In the 2011 version, Lion-O is a teenager instead of being a boy inside an adult body. Lion-O can also be a bit of a hothead but is by far the most patient and understanding cat next to Cheetara. He is the only one at the beginning who believes that technology and Mumm-Ra exist even though the technology is sold across Third Earth. Lion-O believes that the other races of Third Earth should be treated equally as seen when Lion-O was defending two persecuted Lizards from some Thunderians until Claudus broke up the fight. After Claudus was killed by Mumm-Ra, Lion-O becomes the new Lord of the Thundercats. His catchphrase is "Whiskers!" whenever he finds himself in a bad situation. In "Legacy", it is revealed that Lion-O had an ancestor named Leo who played a part in the defeat of Mumm-Ra. Lion-O's weapons are the Sword of Omens and the Claw Shield. It is shown that Lion-O had feelings for Cheetara until in "Between Brothers" when she confessed her feelings for Tygra. In "Native Son", it is shown that Lion-O had an unnamed mother who died giving birth to him. In Recipe for Disaster it is shown that Lion-O had attempted to work through his relationship issues with Cheetara by pursuing Pumyra, trying multiple times to court her, all of which ended in disaster. However, after saving her from Mumm-Ra yet again she gives him a kiss on the cheek in thanks. However, in "What Lies Above Part 2", the feeling was revealed to be an act as she reveals her loyalty and love to Mumm-Ra and only toyed with Lion-O's emotions to further her advantage. Lion-O character was described as being based on Courage.
In ThunderCats Roar, Lion-O is depicted as being child-like with his antics annoying some of the ThunderCats. The episode "Claudus" revealed that Lion-S is Lion-O's long-lost sister.
Lion-O is renamed León-O in the Spanish version, Leo in the German version, Starlion in the French version, and Lion in the Brazilian version.
Originally Lion-O was to be named Lion-L in the English language version.[7]
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Main article: Panthro |
Panthro (voiced by Earle Hyman[8] in the original series, Kevin Michael Richardson[2] in the 2011 series, Chris Jai Alex in the 2020 series) is the next noble and greatest warrior after Jaga, and based on the panther.[9] Even though a warrior in all forms of ThunderCats martial arts fighting, Panthro has a brilliant mind, which he uses as the chief mechanic/engineer and pilot for the ThunderCats.[10] He is also physically the strongest and is a cunning warrior in combat, relying as much on martial arts as on physical strength. With Tygra's help, he builds all of the vehicles the ThunderCats use on Third Earth—including the ThunderTank, the Feliner and the ThunderClaw, ThunderStrike, and HoverCat. Panthro is a complex ThunderCat. On the one hand, he has great passion, love of family, and life. With an infectious laugh, accompanied by a good sense of humor. On the other hand, he is a stone-cold warrior. He lives by the ThunderCats warrior code. Pride, excellence, and loyalty are a hallmark of what makes Panthro tick. Because of his passion, he is known to lose his patience with other ThunderCats. On the field of battle, however, he is cool, calm and collected. Because of this, Panthro has gained respect both from friends and enemies alike. They respect the king but fear the panther. In combat, he uses a pair of nunchaku with open-away cat-paws, which house several chemical spray-compounds, and objects such as ball bearings, that he can use against foes. The spikes on his chest bands can be used as projectile weapons or as rappelling lines also. Panthro does have a fear of bats.
In the 2011 series, Panthro is one of Claudus' more loyal soldiers who was sent with his friend Grune to find the Book of Omens. Their attempted search resulted with Mumm-Ra's release and Panthro being betrayed by Grune, and ruing a struggle, fell down an abyss and was believed killed. However, Panthro survived the fall and constructed the ThunderTank, which he later used to save Lion-O's group from Slythe's platoon. Though he questioned Lion-O's ability to lead, Panthro eventually accepted him as the new king. Unlike the rest of the ThunderCats, he never learned how to swim.[11] In "Between Brothers," Panthro duels with Grune when he and Slithe attack the Elephants' village against Mumm-Ra's orders. Panthro loses his arms while trapping Grune in the astral plane. He was later outfitted with mechanical arms built by the Berbils which can also elongate themselves. In "The Pit," it was revealed that he was an old friend of Dobo back when they were slaves in a gladiator arena called The Pit which was located in a city that is inhabited by Dogs. Panthro later escaped the Pit when it turned out that the match the next day would be a deathmatch. This caused Dobo to feel bitter towards Panthro until Panthro revealed the deathmatch would pit him and Dobo against each other. In "What Lies Above" it is revealed Panthro is afraid of heights, which he finds out during the Feliner's first flight.
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Main article: Tygra |
Tygra (voiced by Peter Newman in the original series, Matthew Mercer in the 2011 series, Patrick Seitz in the 2020 series) is a staunch, level-headed warrior based on the tiger. Tygra is known as the ThunderCat architect and scientist.[12] He is the one Lion-O often turns to as second-in-command and for counsel. He is responsible for the design of all of the ThunderCat structures on Third Earth—the Cat's Lair and the Tower of Omens. He is also 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 indeed Tygra is the 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 also claimed to be shy when being a kid. Patient, analytic and calm, Tygra is the quietest ThunderCat, and usually considers every part of the problem before making a decision.
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 the 2011 series, the character is the adopted older brother of Lion-O. A flirtatious ladies man, Tygra possesses xenophobia, a jealous streak, and superiority to Lion-O in every way, all of which often serve to cause friction between himself and Lion-O. As he would learn later in the season, Tygra is of the Tiger Clan who were forced, by the spiteful other cat clans, to live in the frozen mountains far from Thundera due to their steadfast continued loyalty to Mumm-Ra even after the latter's entrapment. Sent to Thundera as a baby by his biological father Javan, Tygra was raised by Claudus and his wife with the latter loving Tygra dearly prior to her death while giving birth to Lion-O. Losing both the right to succeed his foster father and the only mother he knew, Tygra grew to hate Lion-O and questioning the latter's decisions after he became the new Lord of the Thundercats. Furthermore, Tygra fell in love with Cheetara when they first met as children in the past, although he believed she never returned his feelings for her. Her apparent friendship with Lion-O gave him another reason to bear a grudge on his brother. Tygra and Cheetara eventually become a couple after Cheetara confesses her love for Tygra. Soon after, Tygra meets his birth father and inherits his whip. In "What Lies Above", he is explained to be a natural pilot able to fly any craft without any training at all due to his ancestors serving as pilots under Mumm-Ra.
In ThunderCats Roar, Tygra is depicted as a neat freak.
Tygra is renamed Tigro in the Spanish, German and French versions.
Cheetara (voiced by Lynne Lipton in the original series, Emmanuelle Chriqui[13] and Grey DeLisle (young) in the 2011 series, Erica Lindbeck in the 2020 series) is a female warrior, based on the cheetah. She is the only adult female ThunderCat until the later appearance of Pumyra. She is as lovely as she is brave and caring. Often a voice of reason, she is also the bearer of a budding "sixth sense," detecting when something is unsafe or if evil is near. This precognitive sense, which Cheetara regards as a curse for the most part, also allows her to perceive visions—whether involuntary or by forcing herself—but can leave her very weak; she may require days to regain her strength. It was this ability that enabled Lion-O to learn the fates of Lynx-O, Pumyra, and Bengali the day when Thundera exploded. She has incredible speed, once clocked at 120 m.p.h. on a morning jog. She can maintain this speed only for brief periods, but with it, she is very fast in combat. Her weapon of choice is a baton that expands into a bō that can grow or shrink to variable lengths. When not in use, it is attached to her left armband. The season one episode "Sixth Sense" briefly hinted at the idea of romantic attraction between Cheetara and Lion-O, however, the subject was never revisited again in the series.
In the Wildstorm/DC comic book series it is revealed that, while most of the ThunderCats detest and avoid water, Cheetara loves it and is by far the best swimmer among them. In the Wildstorm/DC miniseries ThunderCats: The Return, Cheetara is revealed to have been made a slave of the mutants during Lion-O's time training inside the Book of Omens, and it is hinted that she was sexually abused by them, though it is never outright confirmed. The comic again references the ideas of a possible romance between Cheetara and Lion-O— seemingly expanding on the hints from the episode "Sixth Sense", indicating that feelings may have developed post-cartoon and pre-comics between the two— but indicates that Cheetara had begun to resent Lion-O after the defeat of the ThunderCats by Mumm-Ra and the Mutants and her ensuing enslavement for not coming to her rescue sooner, and her feelings had shifted towards Panthro in the intervening years, who is hinted to reciprocate her feelings when he and Lion-O manage to rescue her from the Mutants.[14]
In the 2011 series, Cheetara is one of the last remaining cleric warriors. When she originally tried to join the Order of Clerics as a child, she was initially turned down by Jaga, because even though she had the speed possessed by clerics, she lacked the patience. Despite being turned down, Cheetara decided to show Jaga she had the patience needed to become a cleric and began to wait in front of the Order's doors. While waiting, she was given a flower by Tygra, which helped Cheetara sustain herself for days, until Jaga finally allowed her to join the clerics. In the aftermath of Thundera's downfall, Cheetara's possibly the sole surviving member of the Order, other than Jaga, who lives on in spirit form. Cheetara initially served as an encourager to Lion-O, since she never shunned him for his interest in technology and initially seems to support his kindness to other races. During the first half of the first season, both Tygra and Lion-O harbor romantic feelings for her and competed for her love. Originally many believed Cheetara held feelings for Lion-O and would choose him, but in the end, it's revealed she has always been in love with Tygra since their childhood when he had shown her kindness and support during the days she desired to become a cleric. Cheetara and Tygra become a couple shortly thereafter and Cheetara later abandons her duties as a Cleric in "New Alliances" to save Tygra's life.
In ThunderCats Roar, Cheetara has an athlete personality.
Cheetara is renamed Chitara in the Spanish version, Geparda in the German version, Félibelle in the French version.
In the WildStorm/DC comic mini-series, Tygra eventually marries Cheetara and the two raise a pair of twin cubs.
WilyKit (voiced by Lynne Lipton in original series, Madeleine Hall in the 2011 series, Erica Lindbeck in the 2020 series) and WilyKat (voiced by Peter Newman in original series, Eamon Pirruccello in the 2011 series, Max Mittelman in the 2020 series) are twin siblings, Kat being the older brother and Kit as the younger sister where both of them are based on the wildcat; they are jointly referred to as "ThunderKittens" by the other characters, although technically they are older than Lion-O. In the original series, Kat appears to be the equivalent to a human that is twelve years of age. They are the mischief-makers, and often have their own lessons to learn alongside Lion-O while they live on Third Earth, where they frequently use tricks and traps to combat evil. Kit is the more adventurous, while the older Kat usually errs on the side of caution. Kit also appears to be the more agile, and at times, she employs a rolling-attack against the enemy. Their agility is often displayed when they ride their "space boards"—specially designed flying devices shaped like Earth surfboards that can carry them over long distances. Each uses special capsules, balls and other gimmick weapons carried in pouches and on their belts. They sometimes use slingshots to fire these at the Mutants or other foes. They also carry trick lariats, with which they can either tangle and ensnare foes, or use to pull themselves out of danger. In the first episode, they appeared to be slightly older than Lion-O, but when they went into suspended animation, they did not age as far in their suspension capsules as Lion-O did in his.
In the 2011 version, they are younger in age and were originally from a low-class family in the countryside living with their mother, their father, and their two siblings. When the two lost their father to a tornado, resulting in the family becoming more down-trodden, the twins resolve to run away from home to find the lost city of El Dara and become rich. However, upon arriving to Thundera, they were forced to become street urchins and lock-picking pickpockets in order to survive the slums with their aspirations the only thing keeping them going. When the Lizards attack Thundera, the two manage to escape during the chaos before eventually teaming up with the ThunderCats on their journey. In this version, WilyKit and WilyKat have tails, which none of the main adult ThunderCats except Panthro possess (how Panthro lost his is never shown nor explained), and visible external ears. Like in the original series, WilyKat possesses gimmick weapons with his usual weapon being a grappling hook called a Flick. WilyKit also possesses a special musical instrument called a Flupe that she uses to play a soothing melody that their mother used to hum to the siblings, able to put anyone in a hypnotic trance. During her time with the Elephants, learning to use her flute to shatter boulders when in tune with the Elephant's trumpets. Over the course of the first half in season one, Wilykit gained a spiritual outlook on life as she and her brother become more involved in their adult companions' fight. This new outlook allowed the youth to assume Cheetara's abandoned role of Cleric, encouraging Lion-O when he needs it the most. In the second half, the twins acquire hoverboards from the Berbils and later the Forever Bag, a magic bag previous thieves possessed that has an infinite storage space, activated by the magic word "rankinbass" (a reference to Rankin/Bass Productions, which produced the original series).
In ThunderCats Roar, Wilykit has a tomboy personality, while Wilykat is the more mature half of the duo.
WilyKit and WilyKat are renamed Felina y Felino in the Spanish version (except in the 2011 version, where they retain their original names), and MiniKit und MiniKat in the German version.
At the start of the series' second season, it was revealed to Lion-O (after having a recurring dream about the final moments of the destruction of Thundera) that there are three more Thunderians living on Third Earth whom Jaga was unable to rescue. They survived the cataclysm when rescued by a Ro-Bear Berbil scout ship piloted by two Berbils. The ship was damaged in the final explosion of the planet and made it to Third Earth landing on an unknown island somewhere in the northern sea as the ship didn't have enough fuel to get to the Berbil Village. This was revealed to Lion-O when Cheetara focuses her powers into tapping into this knowledge.
After Mumm-Ra tries to capture them to use as bait to destroy the ThunderCats at Firerock Mountain (which is where a lot of Thundrainium is located), these three Thunderians are rescued and brought back to the Cat's Lair, where Lion-O anoints them as new ThunderCats. They initially come to live in Cat's Lair until after the arrival of the Lunataks, at which time they are stationed at the Tower of Omens.
Bengali (voiced by Peter Newman) is one of the two younger Thundereans among the trio, named after the bengal tiger and resembling the white variant. This warrior is a skilled blacksmith like his father before him and it proves valuable after the Sword of Omens is once again broken. Fast and agile like Tygra, Bengali is called "brother" by him, but it is unclear if they share a true familial bond or if the greeting is merely meant as a term of endearment (given that the new ThunderCats repeatedly call the originals "Nobles" while referring to themselves as "mere Thunderians," it seems unlikely that there is any family relationship between the two). Another possibility is that because they are both tigers, the Ben-Gal clan may be cousins to the Tygra clan, even though one is considered nobility while the other is not. In combat, Bengali wields a weapon called the Hammer of Thundera (which he also uses when doing blacksmith-related work). It can shoot energy blasts, and carries smoke pellets in its handle, to allow him to cause confusion and provide cover for withdrawal from a fight.
He is the only Thundercat who does not appear in the 2011 series.
Lynx-O (voiced by Doug Preis in the original series, Kevin Michael Richardson in the 2011 version) is the oldest of the trio who is based on the lynx. Lynx-O was spared the sight of the destruction of their homeworld by a cruel twist of fate: a blast of intense heat and fire blinded him moments before he and his two younger companions were rescued, leaving his eyes all orange denoting blindness. Because of this injury, Lynx-O has had to adapt to survive on Third Earth and has done so by honing his other senses to super-human levels. His sense of touch, smell, taste and hearing are far above those of the other ThunderCats, and this affords him a type of "sixth sense," though it is not like the one Cheetara possesses. Though blind, Lynx-O is still a formidable fighter. His sense of touch allows him to find pressure points on a foe's body to knock them off balance or stun them. He can also feel vibrations, which allow him to evade attacks and capture, and can use a Sonic Reflector as a weapon in combat. His greatest skill comes in utilizing a special "braille board"—a device that allows him to translate information coming from sensor systems inside the Tower of Omens, enabling him to see into the gloom of Dark Side. This same device also allows him to pilot the ThunderStrike aircraft through the Valley of Mists when the ThunderCats need to find a way through to Dark Side.
In the 2011 series, Lynx-O is a general under Claudus. He first made a cameo as one of Thundera's lookout sentries. It is unknown as to whether or not he survived Thundera's destruction. If there was a season two, it would have depicted Lynx-O's history with Slithe and show how the Lizards sided with Mumm-Ra.
Pumyra (voiced by Gerrianne Raphael in the original series, Pamela Adlon in the 2011 series) is another female Thunderian along with Cheetara and WilyKit. This young woman who is based on the puma is a talented healer and medic. She uses her knowledge of Thunderian medicine, combined with the wide range of medical supplies to be found on Third Earth, to help heal and cure her fellow ThunderCats. Her compassionate nature lends to offering an alternative perspective, solving problems or conflict without fighting by using compromise and understanding. Possibly the most agile ThunderCat next to the ThunderKittens, Pumyra employs an incredible leaping ability—often able to vault higher than even great jumpers like Tygra or the ThunderKittens. She was also shown to be able to move in short bursts of super-speed (while moving fast she resembled a flash of lightning darting from place to place). In combat, she uses special whipcord, which resembles a "cat's tail," that can launch special pellets and spheres like an ancient sling. Pumyra's role gradually decreased after her role in the first two movies. The only episode to focus on Pumyra was "Mumm-Rana's Belt" where she helps to regain Mumm-Rana's belt after it was stolen by Luna. In "The Return to Thundera Part IV," she and Tygra stay behind on Third Earth in order to continue protecting the planet from danger.
In the 2011 series, Pumyra is portrayed as bitter, spiteful, passionate, independent, agile, sly, and manipulative. She takes over Tygra's role in questioning Lion-O's decisions. Unlike Tygra, Pumyra easily manipulates Lion-O to side with her. Pumyra originally fought against the lizards during the fall of Thundera before being wounded and left to die under the rubble as nobody could hear her. In her final moments, she witnessed Lion-O, Tygra, Cheetara, WilyKit, WilyKat, and Snarf fleeing the city. Pumyra died hateful and resentful towards Lion-O and company for abandoning Thundera while they failed to hear her pleas for help. Sensing her strong hatred, Mumm-Ra resurrected Pumyra to give her a second chance in life, serving him as his spy, placing her among the captive Thunderian slaves to be sold to Dobo. From there, meeting Lion-O and managing to keep her need for revenge in check when she is unable to finish off Lion-O, Pumyra earns his trust and love while serving as a beacon for Mumm-Ra to regain the Sword of Plun-Darr and track the Thundercats' movement. Lion-O viewed Pumyra as a possible love interest and makes several attempts to impress her which usually result in her being injured, captured or humiliated. Although Pumyra often rejects Lion-O, on rare occasions she displays acts of affection to keep him obsessed with her. Cheetara is concerned with Lion-O's feelings for Pumyra and doesn't think she is right for Lion-O. It was during the siege of Avista that Pumyra reveals her true colors by giving the Tech Stone to Mumm-Ra, who she calls her true master and love. After taking a hit from Ro-Bear Bill and Dobo, Pumyra leaves with Mumm-Ra and promises to kill Lion-O the next time they meet. According to the creators if there had been a season two, Pumyra would've turned into a wicked insectoid due to her hunger for more power.
Claudus (voiced by Earl Hammond in the original series, Larry Kenney in the 2011 series, Andrew Morgado in the 2020 series) is the previous Lord of the ThunderCats and Lion-O's father who like his son is based on the lion. Claudus ruled Thundera before its destruction. He lost his sight during a war he fought against the mutants of Plun-Darr. In the episode "Return to Thundera," Lion-O is transported back in time to Thundera the day before it was destroyed. He later rescued his father from past versions of Slithe and Vultureman (who were attempting to recover plans for a War-Bot that had fallen into the hands of Claudus's spies). He then proceeded to give these plans to Lion-O, who used them in the present to destroy the mutants' War-Bot. Believed to have died on Thundera while assisting the royal flagship in taking off, he was later found to have been captured by the Shadowmaster. Through a sequence of nightmares, Lion-O eventually learns from Jaga of his father's imprisonment in the Shadow Realm and is able to rescue him. Claudus is currently with Jaga in the afterlife.
In the 2011 series, Claudus is a stern father to Lion-O and the adoptive father of Tygra. He had a wife who died giving birth to Lion-O. When Grune and Panthro had fought bravely to get promoted to general, Claudus told them that he has given the job to Lynx-O. He was the one who sent Panthro and Grune to find the Book of Omens. When Lion-O was fighting off some Thunderians who were beating up two imprisoned Lizards (where Lion-O was assisted by Tygra and Cheetara), Claudus arrived to break up the fight. He was convinced by Lion-O to let the Lizards go free and back to their homeland. When Thundera was being attacked by the Lizards, Claudus is murdered by Mumm-Ra (who had assumed Panthro's form). Lion-O, Cheetara, and Tygra later hold a funeral pyre for him after escaping with the Sword of Omens.
In the 2020 series, Claudus was shown to have survived the destruction of Thundera. In this show, Claudus is depicted as a jerk and a bad ruler as well as having Lion-S as his daughter.
When the planet of Thundera is reformed in Season Two of the series by Mumm-Ra in a plot to claim the Sword of Plun-Darr, the ThunderCats must work to stabilize the planet before it can tear itself apart again. It is here that they discover another ThunderCat and gain additional allies.
Jagara (voiced by Gerrianne Raphael) is found deep within the core of New Thundera. This powerful, ancient Thundercat (like Jaga, based on the jaguar) is an immortal sorceress. Her duty is to guard the massive gyroscope that keeps the planet intact. She uses the powers of levitation, teleportation, and psychokinesis to perform her tasks and to defend the gyroscope from attackers. It is noted by Jaga (no relation) that she has been acting in this capacity for countless years.
The following Thunderians appeared in different media projects:
The Snarfs are a race of intelligent cat-like creatures that are plump, fuzzy and kind. Snarfs are native to Thundera, living in the Valley of Snarfs, and many of their numbers act as servants to Thunderean nobility, happily working as cooks, nursemaids, squires and so forth. When Thundera was destroyed, forty-nine Snarfs were able to commandeer a Mutant tanker and made their way to an uninhabited planet which they took as their own, dubbing it the "Planet of Snarfs". Later, when Mumm-Ra recreated Thundera, he captured the Snarfs and brought them back to their home planet, putting them to work searching for the Treasure of Thundera. Subsequently, liberated by the ThunderCats, the Snarfs returned to living happily on Thundera.
Snarfs are the only creatures in the Universe incapable of evil (except while possessed), although, in episode 105, Snarf becomes corrupt with the power to control the other ThunderCats. Quick and clever, a Snarf is a loyal friend, though their small size often makes them a target for Mutants or other evil creatures. The Snarfs have proved to be valuable allies to the ThunderCats in times of peril. Though their fighting skills are more than wanting, the Snarfs have an inherent invulnerability/resistance to many (but not all) forms of magic and mind-control. This ability has enabled the Snarfs to save the other ThunderCats on several occasions. Snarfs are known to end their sentences with the squeaking exclamation for which they are named—"snarf, snarf!"
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Main article: Snarf (ThunderCats) |
Snarf (voiced by Bob McFadden in the original series, Satomi Kōrogi in the 2011 series) is an elder Snarf, properly known by his name Osbert, which he hates. Snarf served as a nursemaid and protector for Lion-O when he was a boy.[15] After Lion-O grew up, Snarf found that often Lion-O did not want to have him "mothering" or protecting him. Still, Snarf has remained loyal to Lion-O and the other ThunderCats.[16] At times, he does come through in a pinch with an idea and takes action when it is needed. Despite his age, he does keep up with the others. Even though not a fighter by skill or nature, Snarf is very agile (he boasts he can outplay anyone at tail bail or kick-the-bucket). He also can communicate with other animals on Third Earth to enlist their help in his tasks, and once even tricked the Ancient Spirits of Evil into giving him a power-up to become a being called Snarf-Ra.
In the 2011 version, Snarf is more of a pet to Lion-O and does not speak English but can make animal sounds (though it seems Lion-O can still understand him). In later episodes, he goes "Snarf".
In ThunderCats Roar, Snarf is depicted as a robot animal. The episode "Snarf's Day Off" reveals that Snarf can take the form of a normal house cat once a month to pay a visit to an old lady named Mrs. Gristildi. He accompanied Mrs. Gristildi to the craft fair where she competed with a disguised Mumm-Ra. When Snarf's true form was revealed by Mumm-Ra, Mrs. Gristildi sheds her disguise revealing her true form of Mumm-Rana who beats up Mumm-Ra. Now knowing each other's secrets, both of them use the photos of Mumm-Ra's beatings for their homemade calendar.
Snarfer (voiced by Bob McFadden) is a young and excitable Snarf who is Snarf's young nephew. He was thought lost when Thundera exploded but was one of the surviving Snarfs that made it to the Planet of Snarfs. Slightly more aggressive than his uncle, Snarfer is a keen mechanic and pilot in his own right, having been educated at "Snarf College" while majoring in Snarf-Studies (Snarf once said he was a "college boy"). He does tend to babble when over-excited, but at times he can be just as level-headed as Tygra. Though smaller than Snarf, he does not allow that to get in his way when he wants to help friends. It was through him that the ThunderCats learned, much to their surprise, that Snarf's real name was Osbert—and that he hated the name.
Snarf Oswald (voiced by Earle Hyman) and Snarf Eggbert (voiced by Larry Kenney) are two of the Snarfs who survived the destruction of Thundera, this duo became the ThunderCats main Snarf "contacts" on New Thundera. Oswald was originally mentioned by Snarf during the first season, noting that he owed him "fifty thunder-dollars."
The Robear Berbils are partly-furred robotic bears from the planet Ro-Bear.[17] Because their homeworld is so tiny, they must form other colonies on distant worlds to survive. Small and harmless-looking, the Berbils are steadfast, hardy workers and skilled farmers, cooks, and craftsmen. It was thanks to them that Tygra was able to build Cat's Lair—and later the Tower of Omens—so quickly. Apparently, the Robear Berbils are cybernetic organisms, as they are able to eat and digest organic food. When they were first encountered, the ThunderCats protected the Berbil's candy fruit crops from the Trollogs and the Giantors.
In the 2011 series, the Berbils are shown to be more bear-like and have an ability to roll up into balls. The Berbils made themselves known to the ThunderCats when they helped to repair the Thunder Tank and give them food. Panthro was against their cute appearance first until it came to repairing Ro-Bear-Bill following an attack by the Conqueror (who had been abducting Berbils and selling them as slaves). The ThunderCats managed to help the Berbils drive away the Conqueror along with his Trollog and Giantor customers. The Berbils later help in constructing Panthro's new arms and upgrading the Thunder Tank. In "What Lies Above" Pt. 2, Wilykit and Wilykat were able to get the Berbils to help them fight Mumm-Ra and save Avista. After Avista was safely landed on the ground, the Berbils began working to get Avista operational again.
The Warrior Maidens are a race of barefoot Amazon women who live in the forests of what is called the Tree-Top Kingdom. They are fierce fighters and very territorial. At first distrustful of the ThunderCats (whom they view as aliens), the Warrior Maidens soon treat them as friends. Often, Nayda and Willa are the two who have the most contact with the ThunderCats. While some of the Warrior Maidens resemble Native Americans, other Warrior Maidens have different skin tones, whereas some of the Warrior Maidens have red hair.
The Wolos are small, furry people who have small villages all around the habitable places of Third Earth. The Wolos work as farmers, carpenters, and fishermen. The Wolos often use donkeys for their transportation. They are gentle folk who often turn to the ThunderCats for protection.
In the 2011 series, the Wolos (pronounced "Wallow" in the reboot) are shown to have rodent-like teeth.
The Bolkins are sheep-like people, similar to the Wolos. They are herdspeople and farmers who are just as likely to call for help from the ThunderCats.
The Tabbuts are a race of wealthy yet greedy traders who often appeared as allies of the mutants. They resemble one-horned humanoid pigs in appearance. A ninja that worked for Mumm-Ra once assumed the form of a Tabbut.
Exclusive to the 2011 series, the Fishmen are one of the native sentient species of Third Earth and resembled humanoid fish-like creatures. Fishmen sub-species are mostly based in appearance on the Ostariophysi-based fish and include carps, suckerfish, loaches, goldfish, and minnows. A group of their kind lived in a paradise oasis, somewhere in the Sand Sea until their home was attacked by the massive Ramlak, which consumed all the water of their home. With their home destroyed, Captain Koinelius Tunar, became fixated on getting revenge on the creature and assembled a crew of Fishmen along with a ship to hunt it down. Their journey saw them encounter the ThunderCats, under Lion-O who they captured, and initially attempted to flay as well as eat until the Ramlak attacked. Upon seeing the courage of Lion-O, Captain Tunar decided to let the ThunderCats live and asked for their help in slaying the beast. Ultimately, the Fishman's ship was destroyed by the Ramlak and Captain Tunar was killed but Lion-O managed to slay the creature leading to all the captured water being released into the Sand Sea thus creating an oasis for the Fishmen. The Fishmen thanked Lion-O, assuring him that Tunar's death was his own doing and was beyond help, and decided to remain behind at their new home. In "What Lies Above" Pt. 2, Wilykit and Wilykat were able to get some of the Fishmen to help them fight Mumm-Ra and save Avista. One Fishman rode with Wilykit and Wilykat since it didn't want to ride in the Forever Bag.
Exclusive to the 2011 series, the Elephants are a giant grey-skinned race brought to Third Earth when the black pyramid fell alongside the other Animals that Mumm-Ra enslaved. A normally passive race that rarely fights, the Elephants are spiritualists who don't have much of a good memory and can speak in an Indian accent. When the ThunderCats encounter their colony while on their search for the Warstones, the Elephants reveal that they have one yet forgot the item's exact location in their village. After the ThunderCats returned from the Forest of Magi Ore, the Elephant village was attacked by Grune and his forces. The ThunderCats were able to save the village and its people from the Lizards occupation, with the Elephants later coming to conclusion to aid in fending off the invading forces.
One of the many elements featured in the 2011 series that seems to have been "inspired" by the Wildstorm/DC Comics mini-series, the Dogs were a rival species to the Thunderians. Each of the Dogs are modeled after Doberman Pinschers, Pit bulls, jackals, wolves, foxes, Labrador Retrievers, Mastiffs, Bulldogs, Boxers, Sheepdogs, Spaniels, and other types of canines. Many of the Dogs have bitter feelings towards the Thunderians while some others lived in Thundera's slums as second class citizens prior to the city's fall. Normally living in the Dog City within the desert, the Dogs own a variety of ramshackle bazaars and bars. They also have a gladiatorial arena know colloquially as "The Pit" which is part of their justice system as criminals are made slaves (unless if the slaves were bought from someone else) to fight against each other in combat until they have either paid their debt with 100 wins or have died in battle.
Exclusive to the 2011 series, the Birdmen are a species of humanoid birds brought to Third Earth when the black pyramid fell alongside the other Animals that Mumm-Ra enslaved. They are the most culturally, artistically, and technologically advanced race on Third Earth, living in a democratic style of society in the treetop Bird Nation, as well as the majestic city in the sky Avista. They are fair, hospitable, and generous, but they are also arrogant, believing that the other Animals are primitive and unsophisticated, and thus not worthy of their spare time. Technology provides for their every practical need, but they can also fly under their own natural wing power. Like the Dogs and the Fishmen, the Birds have many diverse sub-species such as birds of prey, crows, ravens, pigeons, parrots, geese, magpies, storks, ducks, pelicans, macaws, cockatoos, mockingbirds, catbirds, doves, cranes, and many more. Addicus the Monkey committed vile crimes against the less-technological Bird Nation where was caught and sentenced to death only to be saved at the last moment by Slithe the Lizard. He then proceeded to murder and eat the Birds present offscreen at his intended execution as he was promised a "last meal." Later, when Lion-O fracked the Tech Stone to Avista with the other ThunderCats, he was arrogantly brushed off by their perfect Vultaire. After the Cats failed to get the Stone following an unfair racing challenge in the air, they tracked the Stone themselves to the core power chamber of Avista. However, they were caught and sentenced to be "thrown out with the trash" by Vultaire, literally until Mumm-Ra came with his Lizards to steal the Tech Stone. The Cats were allowed to help the Avistans defend the city. The Ravenmen and Vultaire defended the skies as best they could, but the superior fighting skills of the Lizards and the destructive power of Mumm-Ra soon decimated the fleet causing Vultaire to defect to Mumm-Ra's side. After Mumm-Ra stole the Tech Stone, the city began to fall, due to the Stone generating anti-gravity emissions, but after Mumm-Ra and the Lizards evacuated, Panthro managed to land the city safely and saved the lives of most of the Avistans, who were grateful to the ThunderCats for saving them. Cheetara promised them that the equally technologically-talented Berbils would repair their city and return it to the sky.
The following races were also featured throughout the series:
Captain Bragg (voiced by Bob McFadden) is an intergalactic ringmaster and bounty hunter who pilots a train-like spaceship called the Circus Train which he transports his captives to Wayout Back. Captain Bragg traveled to Third Earth and befriended Wilykat. Part huckster and part showman, Bragg uses his showmanship to capture both the Mutants and the Lunataks when they were transported to him by the Ancient Spirits of Evil following Mumm-Ra's failure in an ultimatum battle against Lion-O. Although a bit of a bungler in nature, Bragg becomes an ally of the ThunderCats and calls upon their assistance in subsequent appearances. On one occasion, he even attempts to flirt with Mandora the Evil-Chaser without much success.
Crownan is a talking crow who is Captain Bragg's wisecracking sidekick.
Dr. Dometome (voiced by Bob McFadden in the original series, Trevor Devall in the 2020 series) is one of Third Earth's great thinkers, scientists, and gentlemen. He is the chief protector of the Great Oceanic Plug (a massive engineering project built to seal a crack in the ocean floor to prevent the planet's oceans from flooding its core). He is a small man but very chivalrous and a skilled pilot of Hercules (aka "Herky"), a giant frog-shaped robot used to guard the sea floor.
Hachiman (voiced by Peter Newman) is a samurai warrior and master swordsman from Ancient Japan. Summoned to Third Earth by Mumm-Ra, he was tricked into fighting Lion-O, but thanks to his code of Bushido, he became an ally to the ThunderCats and the Warrior Maidens of the Tree-Top Kingdom. He wields a sword known as “The Thunder-Cutter,” a katana-blade that, with his skill, can cut through solid stone. Hachiman has saved the lives of various ThunderCats on multiple occasions. Hachiman maintains a friendship with Lion-O after they first join forces. During the race to rescue Pumyra, Ben-Gali, and Lynx-O during ThunderCats- HO!, he is again briefly tricked into attacking the ThunderCats—specifically Lion-O—by Mumm-Ra. However, he eventually realizes that he has again been deceived and sides with the ThunderCats once more. In his final appearance, Hachiman is shown to be living on his own planet which resembles ancient Japan.
Mandora (voiced by Lynne Lipton in the original series, Erica Lindbeck in the 2020 series) is an intergalactic police officer, who works in conjunction with a series of law enforcers to protect the peaceful people of the galaxy. She works in part to run the Great Penal Planet—which houses some of the galaxy's nastiest criminals—and routinely comes to Third Earth as part of her patrols. When one of these criminals, a robotic pickpocket named Quick Pick, helps her and Lion-O against Captain Cracker, she makes him an Evil Chaser assistant. She travels on a specially equipped hoverbike called the Electro-Charger and uses a weapon called the “enzyme catalyzer"—a spray gun loaded with a chemical that she describes as follows: "An ancient formula, now a closely guarded secret. It used to be called soap." After the Mutants and the Lunataks are removed from Third Earth, Mandora becomes a member of the League of Third-Earth.
Mandora appears in ThunderCats Roar. She is shown to be annoyed with Lion-O's oafish antics when it comes to him accidentally letting the bad guys she's after escape.
Mumm-Rana (voiced by Lynne Lipton in the original series, Kaitlyn Robrock in the 2020 series) is an ancient sorceress for good and counterpart to Mumm-Ra. She lives in the White Pyramid where her powers (apparently bestowed upon her by "the Ancient Spirits of Goodness" whom she invokes in her very first appearance) keep her from traveling too far. She at one time battled Queen Luna (grandmother to the Lunatak Luna) to stop her rampage across Third Earth. She did so by stripping Queen Luna of her magical belt which she later lost to Luna (it was destroyed eventually). Much like Mumm-Ra, her powers limit the time she can spend outside of her pyramid home. Mumm-Rana's level of power is somewhat unclear, as she was seen to be bested in battle by Mumm-Ra in the first appearance (he used a spell to trick Mumm-Rana into thinking that the ThunderCats are evil), but she was also shown to be considerably more powerful than both Queen and Princess Luna, as she defeated both of them with relatively little effort.
In ThunderCats Roar, Mumm-Rana is first seen in "Snarf's Day Off" posing as an old lady named Mrs. Gristildi who a disguised Snarf poses as. When at the craft fair, Mrs. Gristildi has some competition from a disguised Mumm-Ra. After Snarf's disguise was exposed when fighting Mumm-Ra, this caused Mumm-Rana to shed her disguise and beat up Mumm-Ra for ruining her day. With both of them now knowing each other's secrets, Mumm-Rana and Snarf put together a calendar consisting of picture showing Mumm-Ra being beaten up.
The Snowman of Hook Mountain (voiced by Earl Hammond in the original series, Dave B. Mitchell in the 2020 series) is a yeti-like chivalrous knight, who rules over the Kingdom of the Snowmen on the frigid heights of Hook Mountain. He once tried to fight Lion-O for possession of a meteor that fell onto the slopes of his mountain kingdom, but they became friends after Lion-O rescued him from a Mutant attack. He can craft weapons out of ice, seemingly at will. After the Mutants and the Lunataks were removed from Third Earth, Snowman becomes a member of the League of Third Earth.
Snowmeow is the Snowman's great snow cat who serves as his mount. He tends to act as a messenger to the ThunderCats when warning them about the dangers that threaten the Snowmen.
In the 2011 series, Snowmeow had a small cameo in the ninth episode "Berbils." Snowmeow was one of the wonders being auctioned off by the Conqueror. He was described as coming "straight from Hook Mountain," implying his origins were largely the same as the original.
Sondora (voiced by Gerrianne Raphael) is the Keeper of the Mystical Soundstones, she assists the ThunderCats when Vultureman steals one of her stones to create a sonic weapon for the Lunataks. After Lion-O recovers the stolen Soundstone, Sondora decides to take the stones to another dimension. But she promises the ThunderCats that she would be there to help them if they ever required her assistance.
Turmagar (voiced by Earl Hammond) is the leader of the walrus-like Tuska Warriors who live near the source of the river that serves as Third Earth's natural water supply. Very skilled as a warrior and leader, Turmagar is also a crafty pilot who flies the Gomplin. It is Turmagar who often helps the ThunderCats with air support before they crafted their own air-vehicles. It is worth noting that the Tuska Warriors are among the few factions in the series to employ firearms as opposed to melee weapons and/or bows and arrows. In his self-titled episode, Turmagar comes to the ThunderCats for help against the Technopede. In "Catfight," Mumm-Ra disguised himself as Turmagar in order to incite in-fighting between the original ThunderCats and the new ones.
The Unicorn Keepers are two unknown humanoids that serve as the caretakers of the Unicorn Forest where they look over the forest's unicorns. Although the male Unicorn Keeper (voiced by Bob McFadden) and the female Unicorn Keeper (voiced by Lynne Lipton) are married, they are never referred to by their real name. They first appeared in "The Terror of Hammerhand" where they befriend the ThunderCats upon them coming to their aid when Hammerhand and his pirates have been poaching the unicorns. In "The Time Capsule," the female Unicorn Keeper tells Lion-O of the Black Widow Shark that dwells in the River of Despair. She uses a crystal that forms the Bridge of Light that enables Lion-O to cross the River of Despair. In "Snarf Takes up the Challenge," the female Unicorn Keeper and Robear Bill tell Snarf that the other ThunderCats have been captured by the Mutants and have been handed over to Mumm-Ra.
Wizz-Ra (voiced by Larry Kenney) is a powerful wizard from ancient Egypt. He lost a battle to Mumm-Ra who framed him for damaging the face of the Great Sphinx which banished Wizz-Ra to the 7th Dimension. His helmet has the ability of mind-control and is sought by Mumm-Ra after it is discovered that the wall of the 7th Dimension is weak enough (after 7,000 years) for him to appear in Cheetara's bedchamber. He aids the ThunderCats after they help him to recover his helmet, and then is forced to return to the 7th Dimension. Before departing, Wizz-Ra promising Cheetara they would meet again in her dreams.
Char (voiced by Bob McFadden) is a four-armed alien garbage scavenger and blacksmith who encounters Snarf as he was trying to bring the damaged pieces of the Sword of Omens back to Ben-Gali. Char wants the sword for himself, but Snarf tricks him into repairing it which causes the sword to mystically return to Lion-O. Char later apologizes for his actions and becomes an ally of the ThunderCats. In "The Heritage," Char and the ThunderKittens WilyKit and WilyKat fall under the evil influence of an evil golden orb which in reality is Mumm-Ra's lost Sphere of Setti.
Screwloose is a bungling robot whom the ThunderCats enlist to assist Jagara in the repair of the Gyroscope. Mumm-Ra replaces Screwloose's brain module with one of his own creation, causing the robot to alternate between good and evil behavior. After he tries to destroy the gyroscope and kill Jagara, Lion-O uses the Sword of Omens to restore Screwloose. During the ensuing battle with Mumm-Ra, Screwloose actually defeats him by taking the Sword of Plun-Darr. In the end, Screwloose remains behind on New Thundera to help Jagara maintain the gyroscope.
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"Mumm-Ra" redirects here. For the English indie rock band, see Mumm-Ra (band). |
Mumm-Ra (voiced by Earl Hammond in the original series, Robin Atkin Downes in the 2011 series, Patrick Seitz in the 2020 series) is the chief villain and antagonist of the ThunderCats. The demon-priest Mumm-Ra is the self-proclaimed "ever-living source of evil" on Third Earth, having powers of sorcery and an apparently unlimited lifespan. He is, in fact, a servant to the Ancient Spirits of Evil who provide him with increased power and virtual immortality to further his pursuit of spreading their dark influence throughout Third Earth.[18]
Residing within the Black Pyramid amid the ruins of what appears to be an ancient Egyptian civilization, Mumm-Ra exists in a decayed, weakened mummified form that must return to a stone sarcophagus to replenish his energy. He can transform himself into a far more vigorous and muscular form—Mumm-Ra, the Ever-Living—by reciting the incantation: "Ancient Spirits of Evil, transform this decayed form... to Mumm-Ra, the Ever-Living!" While in this form, Mumm-Ra possesses fortification of his mystical might—casting spells, throwing energy bolts, etc.—to battle his foes. He can also alter his physical form into a variety of alter-egos to deceive his enemies.
Seemingly invincible in whatever form he chooses, Mumm-Ra appears to have a singular weakness: seeing his own hideous reflection neutralizes his ability to remain outside the Black Pyramid and forces him to withdraw there in his emaciated mummy form. However, at the beginning of the second season, the Ancient Spirits of Evil revoked this shortcoming. Mumm-Ra is a master of deception and will use whatever means necessary to fight against the forces of good. In later episodes, while endowing Mumm-Ra with his powers, the statues of the Ancient Spirits of Evil came down from their perches to extend their arms over him.
In addition, Mumm-Ra has the ability to shapeshift, which he uses to create disguises and deceive the ThunderCats on various occasions. Among these are Diamondfly (in the episode "Queen of Eight Legs"), Gregory Gregion ("All That Glitters"), Silky ("The Garden of Delights"), The Netherwitch ("The Astral Prison"), and Pumm-Ra (in the episode "Pumm-Ra"). He once took the form of King Arthur to acquire the legendary magic sword Excalibur, using it against the Sword of Omens.
In a few episodes, Mumm-Ra has an even more powerful form beyond "Mumm-Ra the Ever-Living" called "Mumm-Ra the All-Powerful". In this manifestation, Mumm-Ra absorbs the entire power of the Ancient Spirits of Evil to become grander in size and strength, and the design pattern on his loincloth changes, as does his voice. This form is only presented in the series three times. In another incarnation, invoking "the Ancient Spirits of the Dream World" to transform himself into "Mumm-Ra the Dream Master", he is able to enter dreams to subliminally influence the ThunderCats in their sleep as a form of mind control.
Mumm-Ra is regarded as immortal, and when defeated, he simply returns to his sarcophagus. Mumm-Ra cannot be truly killed; even in cases where his body is destroyed, he will eventually be restored, as he often states: "Wherever evil exists, Mumm-Ra lives!"
In later episodes, when the Ancient Spirits of Evil were increasingly disappointed with Mumm-Ra's repeated failures, they demanded he destroys the ThunderCats or else he would be forcefully removed. They dimensionally banish Ma-Mutt as an example. When Mumm-Ra fails, the Ancient Spirits of Evil trap him within a planar crystal and cast him away from Third Earth. When the ThunderCats decide to colonize New Thundera to rebuild it, the Ancient Spirits of Evil free Mumm-Ra and rebuild his pyramid there. In "The Heritage," it was said that Mumm-Ra once owned the Sphere of Seti which increased his power. When he managed to recover it after it was found by Char, he planned to use it to increase his power and free himself from servitude to Ancient Spirits of Evil. Figuring out Mumm-Ra's plan, the Ancient Spirits of Evil cut off his transformation chant and demanded he surrender the Sphere of Setti to them. Angered at his plot as well as at his deceptive attempts to hide it, the Ancient Spirits of Evil seal off the Black Pyramid, forcing Mumm-Ra to choose between sustenance (the pyramid) or power (the sphere). Ultimately, Mumm-Ra admits that he cannot survive without the pyramid—thus he begrudgingly surrenders the Sphere of Setti to them.
In the 2011 version, Mumm-Ra is an Ancient Spirit of Evil employed by the Ancient Spirits of Evil (confirmed by series Art Director Dan Norton) with changes including demon wings on his Ever-Living form, a larger body, and a weakness to intensely bright light. His ultimate goal is universal domination and enforcing his ideal order on it. Centuries prior to the new series, Mumm-Ra used advanced technology and magic at his disposal to enslave the ancestors of the ThunderCats and the Animals into serving him so he would gather the Four Powerstones from various planets to place on the Sword of Plun-Darr, a weapon forged from a star he had collapsed at the cost of the entire Plun-Darr galaxy. But managing to take the Warstone (which would become the Eye of Thundera) while staging a rebellion with the Animals' help, the ThunderCat Leo defeats Mumm-Ra and strips him of the other Powerstones. But when Mumm-Ra's pyramid spacecraft was pulled into Third Earth's atmosphere, Mumm-Ra entered his tomb to bide his time for everyone else to die in the resulting crash. However, the controls were smashed and Mumm-Ra was trapped within his pyramid as the stones and survivors spread across Third Earth. However, many centuries later, Mumm-Ra used Grune to release him from his prison and masterminded Thundera's downfall. With the aid of Grune and Slythe, Mumm-Ra not only plans to obtain the Eye of Thundera, but to regain the other three Powerstones in order to get to the Sword of Plundarr and the remaining stones. Mumm-Ra also resurrected Pumyra to serve him and planted her amongst the Thunderian slaves. After Grune ends up trapped in the Astral Plane, Mumm-Ra has Slithe recruit the homicidal Addicus and sociopathic Kaynar to not only restore the Lizard army morale and punish any who quit but also increase their numbers with members of the new generals' respective races. Later, through a calculated scheme involving his agent Pumyra, Mumm-Ra regains the Sword of Plun-Darr and the Tech Stone while gaining a new ally in Vultaire.
In ThunderCats Roar, Mumm-Ra had his Mumm-Ra the Ever-Living form when he wielded a Doom Staff. It was broken by the ThunderCats in their first battle. Mumm-Ra went through different artifacts to regain this form until he recalled that he has the Ancient Spirits of Evil.
Ma-Mutt is a demonic Bulldog that is Mumm-Ra's pet. While incapable of speech because of his canine physiology, he appears to be a sapient being of roughly human intelligence. Ma-Mutt has demonstrated the ability to fly as well as to grow in size and seems to have greatly enhanced strength. Ma-Mutt also harnesses the same shape-shifting capabilities as Mumm-Ra.
The Ancient Spirits of Evil (voiced by Earle Hyman in the original series, Jim Cummings and Kevin Michael Richardson in the 2011 series, Chris Jai Alex in the 2020 series) are four dark spirits summoned by Mumm-Ra, who represent the incarnation of malicious evil. They are both the source of Mumm-Ra's powers and his eternal masters. They communicate with him through the cauldron and giant anthropomorphic statues of a boar, vulture, crocodile, and ox. The Ancient Spirits of Evil often provide Mumm-Ra with a source of knowledge of ancient or magical events. They are, however, incapable of interacting with the physical realm outside of the Black Pyramid and thus must rely on Mumm-Ra (or other beings) to serve as avatars of their power or enact their influence accordingly. In the episode "Doomgaze,"[19] it is hinted that the Ancient Spirits of Evil are of the same race as H. P. Lovecraft's Great Old Ones, because Mumm-Ra invokes Yog-Sothoth and Cthulhu[20] when freeing the evil Princess Ta-She from her time prison.[21]
In the 2011 version, the statues of the Ancient Spirits of Evil that are in Mumm-Ra's chamber are made to resemble a lizard, a jackal, a monkey, and a vulture. The Ancient Spirits played a role in the creation of both the Sword of Plun-Darr, possessing a Thunderian blacksmith to forge the weapon, and the Sword of Omens, due to the blacksmith retaining the spirits' knowledge to forge a weapon similar to the previous creation. In "Native Son," it is revealed that the Ancient Spirits have been worshiped by the Tiger Clan after their ancestors were driven off to the mountains due to their loyalty to Mumm-Ra. When the Tiger Clan was on the verge of dying out from an epidemic, the spirits offer to cure them in return that the newborn Tygra (who would grow up to become an enemy to Mumm-Ra and themselves) be sacrificed. When Javan refused to honor his end of the pact, the Ancient Spirits bound the souls of the Tiger Clan to the living world as shape-shifting shadow monsters that obey their every command. Some years later, a fully-grown Tygra found his way back to his ancestral home and freed his kin of the curse.[22] In a sense of irony, Tigra only became the threat they foresaw by ordering his death.
In ThunderCats Roar, the Ancient Spirits of Evil were revealed to have been unplugged by Mumm-Ra in the episode "Mumm-Ra the Ever Living" when they speak to him. They get annoyed with the ThunderCats when they make strange demands to them. In "Mumm-Ra of Plun-Darr," the Ancient Spirits of Evil tip off Mumm-Ra that the Sword of Plun-Darr is coming out of Third Earth's orbit.
The Mutants are creatures who are the first villains seen in the series, originating from the planet Plun-Darr. They are the long-time enemies of the Thunderians. Later in the series, it is revealed that events that stemmed from their unsuccessful invasion of Thundera ultimately led to the destruction of that planet. Not content to see the Thunderians lose their homeworld, the Mutants chased after the survivors, using their spaceships to devastate the Thunderian fleet and seeming to destroy the majority of the doomed planet's escaping populace. They then boarded the flagship (which carried the ThunderCat nobles, Jaga the Wise, and the young Lion-O) in attempting to capture the Eye of Thundera. They were repelled and retreated to later relocate the crashed flagship on Third Earth. It was here that Mumm-Ra's power grounded the Mutant ship, and they were forced to follow his demands once he sank their vessel beneath the desert sands. Though they exhibited an extraordinary incompetence that was characteristic of most cartoon villains, the Mutants managed to construct their own fortress, which they called Castle Plun-Darr after their homeworld, and salvage equipment from their downed spaceship to build weapons and vehicles that they could use on Third Earth (e.g., the Skycutters, the Nosediver, etc.). There was an inconsistency in how many mutants were actually on Third Earth as some episodes had a small army guarding Castle Plun-Darr. But in most episodes, only Slithe, Monkian, Jackalman, and Vultureman, who appeared shortly after the initial few episodes as he was not present during the attack on the Thunderian flagship, were seen. They would later be joined by Rataro, a general in the mutant armies who possessed magical weapons of his own, and who was generally more competent than the primary four mutants, though he was no more successful against the Thundercats than the other mutants were.
In the 2011 series, the Mutants are referred to as "Animals" which their surviving ancestors brought to Third Earth after aiding Lion-O's ancestor Leo in defeating Mumm-Ra. However, while four of the races obtain a stone that made them each a power, the other animals were ultimately outmatched by the Cats and pitted against each other until the Lizards managed to salvage lost technology and ransacked Thundera with help from Mumm-Ra and Grune. Besides the lizards, the jackals, the monkeys, the birds (sorted into the Bird Nation and the Avistans), and the Rats, among the animal types presented in the reboot are the Dogs, the peaceful Elephants, the Fishmen, aquatic creatures that resemble the TigerSharks, and a character that looks like Mon*Star from SilverHawks.
In the 2020 series, the Mutants' roles are similar to the 1985 series where Ratar-O was depicted as their leader.
Slithe/Slythe (voiced by Bob McFadden in the 1985 series, Dee Bradley Baker in the 2011 series, Trevor Devall in the 2020 series) is the brutish leader of the Reptilians (referred to as Lizards in 2011 series), a race of Lizard Men. Although he lacks sophistication, his intuitive cunning is considerable. Domineering and impatient, Slithe often must browbeat the other Mutants into going along with his plans. Unlike Jackalman and Monkian (whose appearances are identical to other mutants of their kind), Slithe stands out from other Reptilians because of his ears and broader build. He pilots the Nosediver. Slithe served as Rataro's cook earlier in his career, and he retains a discriminating palate.
In the 2011 series, though a descendant of the Lizards that were enslaved by him, Slithe serves Mumm-Ra in order for his kind to take revenge on the Thunderians for generations of persecution. The Lizards have been at war with the Thunderians during their history. Succeeding in ransacking Thundera, Slithe pursues Lion-O's group before overseeing the search for the Book of Omens and later the War Stones. When it came to the attack on the Elephants' village while Mumm-Ra was in the Astral Plane, Slithe and Grune disobey Mumm-Ra's orders and attacked the village.[18] In "Legacy," it was revealed that a Lizard named Rezard (voiced by Rob Paulsen) assisted Leo and Panthera into overthrowing Mumm-Ra. In "New Alliances," some of the Lizards that worked for Slithe have been deserting Mumm-Ra causing Slithe to prosecute any that he catches. Slithe is also instructed by Mumm-Ra to recruit Kaynar and Addicus to Mumm-Ra's services.
He was renamed "Reptílio" in the Spanish version, and "Escamoso" in the Brazilian version.
Khamai (voiced by James Arnold Taylor) is a chameleon-like lizard who is exclusive to the 2011 TV series. He leads a special squad of Lizards and works closely with Slithe. Khamai is killed by Lion-O.
Kask (voiced by Matthew Mercer) is a Lizard who is exclusive to the 2011 TV series. He served as Slithe's scout lieutenant.
Sauro (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) is a Lizard who is exclusive to the 2011 TV series. He is Slithe's scout.
Jackalman (voiced by Larry Kenney in the 1985 series, Dee Bradley Baker in the 2011 series, Andrew Kishino in the 2020 series) character representing the jackal animal. He does not have a defined personality but he has good humor and sarcasm. Though he is one to take any advantage presented to him, Jackalman often sides with Slythe to keep from being the scapegoat when plans fail. He also pilots a Skycutter.[23]
In the 2011 series, though Slythe called him a "Jackalman", his real name is Kaynar. A deranged psychopath who was about to be placed in solitary confinement within a Dog prison, Kaynar is recruited by Slithe to be one of Mumm-Ra's new generals. Though preferring his cell, Kaynar accepts Slithe's proposal when he mentions that he can slaughter ThunderCats while allowed to "say goodbye" to his jailers. Prior to his debut, Kaynar's kind was seen in the episode "Legacy." During that time, a Jackalman named Shen (voiced by Rob Paulsen) assisted Leo and Panthera in overthrowing Mumm-Ra.
He was renamed "Chacalo" in the Spanish also version in Persian version "شغال" shaghal.
Monkian (voiced by Peter Newman in the 1985 series, Robin Atkin Downes in the 2011 series, Jim Meskimen in the 2020 series) is a shifty no-good eavesdropper who is the excitable leader of the Simians (referred to as Monkeys in the 2011 series), a race of ape men. He often plays the role of scout for the Mutants and is frequently the first to run from danger. Monkian typically uses his flail and projectile-firing shield when in combat. He pilots one of the Skycutters.
In the 2011 series, though Slythe called him a "Monkian", his real name is Addicus. Addicus is a bloodthirsty barbarian who committed crimes against the Bird Nation and was sentenced to a death drop from high up in his captors' domain. However, Addicus is rescued from the fall by Slithe and recruited to be one of Mumm-Ra's new generals. Accepting the proposal, Addicus is allowed to get his revenge on the Bird Nation as Addicus states that they "owe him a last meal."
He was renamed "Mandrilo" in the Spanish version.
Vultureman (voiced by Earl Hammond in the 1985 series, Michael McKean in the 2011 series, Dana Snyder in the 2020 series) is a crafty, vulture-like opportunist who serves as chief inventor and mechanical know-it-all for the Mutants. His skills with both machines and science make him frequently indispensable, but he is more often than not blamed when his devices or machines fail to live up to Slithe's expectations (In one episode, he grew tired of this and activated a hidden self-destruct mechanism in every single machine and vehicle the Mutants used, telling them that if his work was really so bad, then "See how you do without them!"). As befits a scientist, Vultureman is inquisitive and open-minded, frequently leaving him odd-man-out among his more barbaric peers. Much later, he decides to work for his own gains, and he often strikes solo deals with Mumm-Ra. He pilots a vulture-styled Flying Machine carries a crossbow-shaped weapon, and later commands weapons like the Mutank and Thundrainium Cannon. Unlike the other mutants, Vultureman was not introduced in the opening episode of the series, but a flashback reveals him working with Slithe years earlier.
In the 2011 series, he is renamed Vultaire and is a prefect of Avista (a floating futuristic city in the sky). Like the other birds in this series, Vultaire is shown with wings on his back (where the 80's version didn't have wings). Vultaire's ancestors were entrusted with the Tech Stone by Leo and used it to build Avista with the stone's power keeping Avista afloat. Like many of his kind, Vultaire is arrogant and sees himself above those who live on the land, especially the ThunderCats whom he considers to be manipulative barbarians. When the ThunderCats arrive to Avista for the Tech Stone, Vultaire accepted Tigra's challenge for the item to obtain the two stones in his group's possession. But upon losing, Vultaire refuses to honor his end of the deal and places ThunderCats under house arrest. He was momentarily held hostage by Pumrya in order to gain access to the Tech Stone. However, Vultaire purposely left the security system active as it knocked out Pumyra while having his Ravenman guards escort the ThunderCats to be thrown out of Avista with the trash before Mumm-Ra's forces to make their move. Though aiding the ThunderCats in fighting off Mumm-Ra's army, Vultaire betrays his fellow Avistans and aligns himself with Mumm-Ra upon witnessing his power firsthand. Vultaire shoots down Tygra and then quotes to Addicus "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Vultaire joins Slithe, Kaynar, and Addicus into fighting Tygra, Panthro, and Cheetara prior to the latter knocking him out before Tygra can get payback for the bird's treachery. After Mumm-Ra claimed the Tech Stone, Vultaire joined Mumm-Ra's forces into retreating from Avista.
He was renamed "Buítro" in the Spanish version.
Ratar-O (voiced by Bob McFadden in the 1985 series, Carlo Rota in the 2011 series, Crispin Freeman in the 2020 series) is a rat-like general in the Mutant armies. This portly rodent is considered the most cunning and evil of all the Mutants. He comes to Third Earth at the behest of the Vultureman to aid them in defeating the ThunderCats. His flagship the Ratstar is a powerful war machine. Though it crashes, Ratar-O salvages parts to make a Mutank to continue the fight. He is strong and wields the Rat's Eye (a pair of kris-style daggers which have two mystical gems embedded in their hilts) that he can use to fire energy blasts, levitate foes and even fly through the air. Ratar-O is a descendant Ratilla the Terrible (the former holder of the Sword of Plun-Darr).
In the 2011 series, Ratar-O is the dictator of the Rats, a descendant of Ratilla who found the Sword of Plun-Darr after the Animals ended up on Third Earth. While under Mumm-Ra's services, the Rats served as janitors within the Black Pyramid before ending up scavengers on Third Earth. Though Ratilla used the item to turn his people into a power equal to the ThunderCats, the Sword of Plun-Darr corrupted his mind before Jaga is forced to kill him in order to seal the weapon away in what becomes Mount Plun-Darr. As the weapon's whereabouts are unknown to Mumm-Ra, Ratar-O buys the Thunderian survivors from the Lizards to use as slaves to mine for the Sword of Plun-Darr and obtain it for him due to the curse Jaga placed on it that kills any who attempt to retrieve it. When the ThunderCats raid Mount Plun-Darr as Tygra and Cheetara pose as slaves to get the sword, Lion-O's group is captured by Mordax and turned over to Ratar-O. But once Tygra and Cheetara found the Sword of Plun-Darr, it caused much of Mount Plun-Darr to collapse with Ratar-O's palace destroyed in the process. Following the castle collapse, Ratar-O battles Lion-O who manages to defeat Ratar-O as he retreats underground.
In the 2020 series, Ratar-O is depicted as the leader of the Mutants who fought Jaga wielding the Sword of Plun-Darr. At some point while in space, he does managed to reclaim the Sword of Plun-Darr some time after Thundera's destruction. When he arrives on Third Earth and gets Slithe, Jackalman, Monkian, and Vultureman on his side, Ratar-O fights the ThunderCats wielding the Sword of Omens. The ThunderCats defeat Ratar-O and throw the Sword of Plun-Darr into outer space.
Mordax (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) is an eyepatch-wearing mouse who is exclusive to the 2011 series and Ratar-O's abused second-in-command. When the ThunderCats raid Mount Plun-Darr, Pumyra is prevented from killing Mordax by Lion-O wishing to show mercy rather than force. Though Mordax takes advantage of the act of kindness by taking Lion-O, Pumyra, and Panthro prisoner and hand them over to Ratar-O. Mordax later turns against Ratar-O, refusing to kill Lion-O and by returning the Sword of Omens to him before making his escape.[24]
Hailing from the Moons of Plun-Darr, the Lunataks are vile beings who were once feared criminals in ancient times. They dwell in Dark Side, a volcanic region on the far side of Fire-Rock Mountain. They were encased in molten rock by Mumm-Ra when they attempted to take control of the Third Earth. Mumm-Ra later had the Mutants release them on the condition that they work for him to battle the ThunderCats. However, the Lunataks instead form their own "third column" based in Dark Side where they build a massive floating fortress called Sky Tomb from which they strike against all of Third Earth.
Their numbers consist of:
The Berserkers are the odd band of Viking-like pirates who first appeared pillaging the northern shores of the Unicorn Forest (as seen in the episode The Terror of Hammerhand). They have a habit of repeating certain words or phrases three times. The original Berserkers resembled Vikings and were apparently all killed when their ship was sunk. By the Season 2 mini-series "ThunderCats-Ho!", a revived Hammerhand had formed a second incarnation of the Berserkers with new members endowed with cybernetic bodies and powers like his own. Mumm-Ra enlisted them into capturing Lynx-O, Bengali, Pumyra, and the two Berbils that rescued them.
In the 2020 series, the Berserkers are shown to work for whoever can pay them in gold.
The Berserkers are made up of:
Grune the Destroyer (voiced by Bob McFadden in the original series, Clancy Brown in the 2011 series) is a Thunderian based on the saber-toothed tiger. This former ThunderCat noble was once a good friend to Jaga the Wise on Thundera. However, his lust for power and greed turned him renegade against his fellow ThunderCats, forcing Jaga to fight him in a titanic battle that lasted for days. Grune was defeated by Jaga, then banished and sent into exile in space. He wields a mace and possesses immense superhuman strength. Eventually, his spacecraft landed on Third Earth and he began terrorizing its natives until, many years later, he was defeated (by unknown means) and sealed away inside a tomb (which was covered with a stone slab and a tree to prevent others from opening it). At some point, Grune lost one of his fangs. A mystic seal in place over the doorway to his tomb kept Grune from causing further havoc after his death, until several centuries later, when a pair of Bolkins accidentally released his spirit in the episode Ghost Warrior. Once freed, the ghost of Grune seeks out the ThunderCats and attacks them. He toys with the ThunderCats briefly before departing the Cats' Lair and attacking a city on Third Earth and demanding "Fire Rocks" (the Third earth name for Thundranium, which Grune had become immune to for unknown reasons, despite being Thunderian in origin) from them. Eventually locating the substance himself and forging a replica of his original battle club from the material, Grune would go on to attack the ThunderCats a second time in the hopes of drawing out his old arch-rival Jaga, whose spirit ultimately defeats him using both Lion-O's strength and the Eye of Thundera. However, Grune would return later when summoned by Mumm-Ra to stop Jaga's spirit from obtaining the Star of Thundera (which was needed to help free three more Thunderians—Pumyra, Ben-Gali, and Lynx-O—from the Mutant prisons at Fire-Rock Mountain). When the ThunderCats return to New Thundera, Grune is resurrected by Mumm-Ra. Grune initially succeeds in defeating Lion-O, breaking the Sword of Omens and chaining Lion-O and Cheetara up on the Churning Rocks. However, Snarf gathers the pieces of the sword and while attempting to take them to Ben-Gali for repair, he is captured by Char who repairs the sword and makes it even more powerful. Sensing the sword is repaired, Lion-O calls for it and uses it to free himself and Cheetara. Grune attempts to defeat Lion-O, but fails and is banished back to Third Earth when Lion-O activates the ThunderCat signal.
In the 2011 series, Grune is one of Claudus' trusted warriors who was best friends with Panthro in the past while confiding in him his desire to rise up the ranks. During one of their missions, Grune ripped his sabertooth off to save Panthro from Spidera. When Grune and Panthro sparred to prove themselves to get a promotion from Claudus, Claudus instead promoted Lynx-O to general and assigned Grune and Panthro to find the Book of Omens. Grune felt betrayed and drove himself mad with his own paranoia. Eventually, his jealousy towards the king was used by Mumm-Ra to convince Grune to become his follower and serve a key role in Thundera's downfall. However, Grune also intended to betray Mumm-Ra in the long run prior to leading the attack on the Elephants' village to obtain the spirit stone there resulting in Grune getting sucked into the Astral Plane thanks to Panthro (who lost his arms in the process).
In the 2020 series, Grune tried to overthrow Claudus due to him being a bad ruler only to be trapped in a crystal prison by Jaga who ejected it into outer space.
The following creatures are located on Third Earth, New Thundera, or any other place in this franchise:
