Exodus
- Studio
- Rankin-Bass Productions, Pacific Animation Corporation
- Distributor
- Telepictures Corporation
Synopsis
This is the pilot episode and introduction of the ThunderCats. The planet Thundera has become very unstable, and has reached the point of total destruction. The ThunderCats manage to escape, and charter a course to a distant planet. During their voyage the ship is under attack by the mutants, and is damaged. Unable to reach its destination, Jaga, the oldest ThunderCat manually drives the ship to a closer planet, while the rest of the ThunderCats sleep in time capsules. Jaga, unable to survive the voyage dies, and their ship crash lands on Third Earth. Lion-O, the hereditary lord of the ThunderCats goes from boyhood to manhood during the trip.
Characters
Lion-O, JackalMan, Cheetara, Wilykit, Tygra, Wilykat, Monkian, Panthro
Credits
Producing
- Producer
- Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr (Executive Producers)
- Supervising Producers
- Peter Bakalian, Lee Dannacher
Writing
- Writer
- Leonard Starr
- Head Writer
- Leonard Starr
- Script Supervisor
- Peter Lawrence
Animation
- Animator
- Tsugu Kubo, Minoru Nishida, Katsuhito Akiyama, Akihiko Takahashi, Yukimatsu Ito, Yuji Yatabe, Kazafumi Nomura (Pacific Animation Corporation)
Voices
- Voice
- Larry Kenney (Lion-O, JackalMan), Lynne Lipton (Cheetara, Wilykit, Luna, Queen Luna), Peter Newman (Tygra, Wilykat, Monkian), Earl Hyman (Panthro, Red-Eye, Hammer-Hand, Captain Cracker, Grune The Destroyer, Mongor), Bob McFadden (Snarf, Slythe), Earl Hammond (Mumm-Ra, Tug-mug, Amok)
Music
- Music
- Bernard Hoffer
Crew
- In Charge of Production
- Masaki Iizuka
- Based on Characters Created By
- Ted Wolf
- Project Development
- Leisure Concepts
- Psychological Consultant
- Robert Kuisis
- Recording Staff
- John Curcio (Dialogue), Michael Farrow (Music), Tom Perkins (Editorial), Larry Franke (Editorial)
- Effects
- Peter Cannarozzi
- Secondary Character Design
- Jim Meskimen
- Production Staff
- Tony Giovanniello, Matthew Malach, Connie Long, Heather Winters
Companies and other credits
- Project Development: Inc
Production notes
ThunderCats was first marketed in 1983, but the series was not released until two years later.
The services of psychologist Robert Kuisis, Ph.D. were retained to ensure that ThunderCats offered children moral guidance. Dr. Kuisis reviewed each episode throughout production; as well, he offered comments on each show in a "Synopses and Morals" booklet given to TV stations.
"The anime style was introduced into the design to allow our Japanese animators to inject some of their creativity," recalled executive producer Arthur Rankin, Jr.
The services of psychologist Robert Kuisis, Ph.D. were retained to ensure that ThunderCats offered children moral guidance. Dr. Kuisis reviewed each episode throughout production; as well, he offered comments on each show in a "Synopses and Morals" booklet given to TV stations.
"The anime style was introduced into the design to allow our Japanese animators to inject some of their creativity," recalled executive producer Arthur Rankin, Jr.
Reviews
Exodus
It`s only viewing this pilot after years away that you see how genuinely good it was. Somehow, seeing the set-up and origin on the thundercats lends a grandure to them, which endures. One word? Electrifying!!