Skunk Fu!
Skunk Fu! is an animated action adventure fantasy comedy television series featuring the fables and adventures of anthropomorphic animals protecting their Valley using martial arts. The show chronicles the adventures of young Skunk, training with his Kung Fu master, Panda, with the support of Rabbit, Fox, Turtle, and others, who directly, or inadvertently, also help Skunk grow. The show won the IFTA award for "Best Animation". In addition to an English soundtrack, Irish-language, French-language, Japanese-language, and Dutch-language soundtracks were initially produced.
Synopsis
Skunk and the other Valley animals led by Panda thwart Dragon's efforts to overtake their Valley with Baboon and the Ninja Monkeys from their lair in the Mountains. Historically Dragon and Panda were friends, but since Dragon was punished by Heaven for his arrogance, he perceives the Valley residents as the reason for his downfall and seeks to destroy them. Panda sees Skunk as crucial to saving the Valley and endeavors to teach Skunk who often tries to circumvent laborious Kung Fu training, only to learn the value of the initial lesson from the consequences of his actions with Skunk ultimately saving the day, usually by himself or with the help of his friends.Characters
Valley Animals
- Skunk is a 10-year-old black and white striped skunk and is the main protagonist of the series. He is the youngest of the Valley dwellers and wants to be a Kung Fu master, but he has to learn his Kung Fu moves with Panda first.
- Master Panda is a giant panda who is the very wise 80-year-old leader of the Valley and Skunk's master.
- Rabbit is an intelligent but hot-headed hare who is good at inventing weapons and often clashes with Skunk and Panda.
- Fox is a beautiful red fox who is an effective, graceful fighter and Skunk's best friend.
- Pig a dim-witted wild boar. He goes psycho whenever he eats truffles.
- Ox and Bird are a duo. Bird is an oxpecker and Ox is a large blue water buffalo.
- Dr. Turtle is a tortoise with a purple shell.
- Ms. Duck is an elderly mallard. She is a chef.
- Tiger is a cowardly friend of Panda's.
- Frog is a silly amphibian who likes to jump and acts weird.
- Snake is a purplish-blue Australian-accented king cobra who enjoys inflicting pain.
- Killer Bees are a swarm of bees who tend to be extremely short-tempered and will attack anyone who angers them, regardless of whether they are friends or not.
- Crane is a tall, white demoiselle crane who is the general town gossip. She is often mistaken for a heron.
- Mantis is a green Chinese mantis who is the Valley's lookout bug. When he speaks, he makes brief pauses every few words. He seems to be a masochist constantly looking to put himself in harm's way in hopes of a tragic outcome. He even expresses disappointment when a battle is going favorably. Despite his desire to see himself harmed, he is noted to put up an honest fight. Though much to his delight, he often just ends up being squashed and left aside.
- Mr. Fish is a large black and white fish who is the underwater head honcho and has feelings for Ms. Duck.
- Blinky is a glowing firefly who was Skunk's friend and his pet in the past, though the fireflies view it as Skunk being his pet.
Villains
- Dragon is a large black Chinese dragon and is the second main antagonist of the series.
- Baboon is a white Hamadryas baboon and is the main antagonist of the series. With his army of Ninja Monkeys by his side, he'll stop at nothing to find ways of destroying the Valley.
- Ninja Monkeys are Baboon's minions.
Episodes
Production and broadcast
Skunk Fu! was produced by Cartoon Saloon and premiered on 28 May 2007 on ABC Australia. The series was broadcast in Ireland and the United Kingdom on 9 July 2007 on CBBC. Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah performed the theme song.The series was shown on ABC Rollercoaster in Australia and BBC and S4C in the UK. TG4 broadcast Skunk Fu! in Irish. The series made its debut in the United States on the Kids' WB! block on The CW on 15 September 2007, and then premiered a year later on Cartoon Network in 2008. The series also aired on YTV in Canada and ANN in Japan.
A feature film based on the series was planned, but was quietly cancelled.