Power Players
Power Players is a CGI-animated television series created by Jeremy Zag and developed by Man of Action. The series is produced by Zagtoon and Method Animation, in co-production with ON Kids & Family, Man of Action Studios and Kaibou, with the participation of Cartoon Network, Globosat, Planeta Group, WDR, WDR Mediagroup and Discovery Latin America.
The series premiered in the United States on September 21, 2019, on Cartoon Network. In March 2020, Power Players started airing reruns on Boomerang and Netflix.
Premise
9-year-old boy Axel Mulligan fights evil living toy Madcap and his minions with the help of the titular heroic toy team, the Power Players. Axel is also able to become a toy himself using the Power Bandz, a device created by his uncle Andrew.Characters
Main
- Axel – Andrew's nephew, who gains the ability to transform into an action figure after discovering the Power Bandz.
- Masko – A luchador action figure whose arms, legs and head stretch and who wears various masks based on his emotions.
- Sarge Charge – A tough, grizzled soldier action figure who is an expert in toy weapons.
- Bearbarian – A blue teddy bear who wields a sledgehammer nicknamed the "Worldbreaker".
- Bobbie Blobby – A small doll who pilots a purple mech suit that can fire clay.
- Galileo – A blue reptilian action figure who is able to turn invisible.
- Slobot – A robot action figure who moves slowly, but is a valuable asset of the team.
- Zoe – Axel's friend, who is the only human who knows Axel's secret.
Recurring
- Andrew – Axel's uncle, a brilliant engineer who created both Madcap and the Power Players.
- Luka – A friend of Axel.
- Cleo LeBall – Zoe's archenemy
- Joyride – A modified action figure with mattracks who was brought to life by Madcap, but later betrayed him and became an ally to the Power Players.
Villains
- Madcap – A villainous robot action figure who wants to drain the power of Axel's Power Bandz to conquer the world. He has the power to absorb and control Minergy and can use it to bring toys to life.
- Orangutank and Porcupunk – Two of Madcap's henchmen. Orangutank is a orangutan action figure can fire energy disks from his back and arms, while Porcupunk is a porcupine action figure can launch explosive missiles from his body.
- Princess Sugar Salt – A fairy doll who wields a magical wand.
- Dynamo – A armored cyclops action figure who has electromagnetic powers.
- Ice Crusher – A Canadian-accented hockey player action figure.
- Dr. Nautilus – A cyclops-like mollusk action figure with four stretchable arms who resides in the sewers. He is able to generate both acid and sentient eyeball creatures.
- Pyrant – A pyramid toy who can answer any question and has mind-control powers.
Development and production
The show was originally greenlit in 2016 under the working title Power Toys before being renamed Power Players.On February 11, 2019, the series was officially picked up by Cartoon Network, making it the first Zagtoon production to be made and produced for this channel, and Playmates became the toy licenser. Power Players premiered on Cartoon Network UK on February 3, 2020.