Old Friends

Old Friends

August 19, 2011 TV Episode ThunderCats

Studio
Warner Bros. Animation, Studio 4°C
Distributor
Cartoon Network

Synopsis

Following the Thundercats' rescue by Panthro, Lion-O attempts to start a conversation with him as he makes repairs to the Thundertank. However, Panthro constantly attempts to avoid talking showing little respect for Lion-O's authority. Eventually, Panthro says he needs to get Thundrillium to recharge the Thundertank from a nearby Lizard-controlled mine run by Grune with the aid of the Driller. Initially, Panthro plans on doing it alone, but Lion-O, Tygra and Cheetara volunteer to come along. In response, he tells them not to slow him down. While searching for the Thundrillium, Panthro has flashbacks of his friendship with Grune ranging from meeting on the battlefield and saving Claudus from attacking Lizards, rising through the ranks as officers, being sent to recover the Book of Omens, and Grune's eventual corruption and betrayal to Mumm-Ra, unleashing the villain from his imprisonment. Panthro and Grune eventually meet up in the mine. But before they can have a showdown, the Driller appears to block the Thundercats long enough for Grune to escape. In the course of the battle with Driller, Lion-O uses the Sword of Omens to save Panthro's life and destroy the robot, but all its digging causes the mountain to collapse, with Cheetara only barely getting the Thundrillium they came for. After escaping the mine, Panthro says Lion-O has earned his undying loyalty. But when Lion-O asks if he can drive the Thundertank, Panthro says "Not a chance... my king".

Characters

Lion-O, Driller, Grune, Cheetara, Mumm-Ra, Claudus, Tygra, Driller, Panthro

Credits

Directing

Director
Yoshiharu Ashino, Sean Song

Producing

Producer
Michael Jelenic, Ethan Spaulding
Executive Producer
Sam Register

Writing

Writer
Tab Murphy

Voices

Voice
Will Friedle (Lion-O), Troy Baker (Driller), Clancy Brown (Grune), Emmanuelle Chriqui (Cheetara), Robin Atkin Downes (Mumm-Ra), Larry Kenney (Claudus), Matthew Mercer (Tygra, Driller), Kevin Michael Richardson (Panthro)

Animation

Animator
Joaquim Dos Santos (Animation Director)

Production notes

The new "ThunderCats" will appeal to viewers who have loved the characters all their lives as well as young newcomers to the franchise. A sweeping tale combining swords and science and boasting ferocious battles with the highest of stakes, the grand origin story of Prince Lion-O's ascension to the throne- and of those who would thwart his destiny at any cost- takes on epic dimensions in this sharp new telling. As the forces of good and evil battle each other in the quest for the fabled Stones of Power, Lion-O and his champions learn valuable lessons of loyalty, honor and mortality in every episode.

Roaring to life through WBA and Studio4°C's use of the Japanese animated artistry of anime, "ThunderCats" characters Lion-O, Mumm-Ra, Panthro, Cheetara and others will spring off the screen with realistic cat-like characteristics inconceivable in previous incarnations.