Bunniculais an Americananimated television seriesfromWarner Bros. Animationdeveloped by Jessica Borutski, produced by Borutski andMaxwell Atoms,[1]and broadcast byCartoon NetworkandBoomerang.The show is loosely based on thechildren's book series of the same namebyJamesandDeborah Howe.[2]It is adark comedyabout a vampire rabbit named Bunnicula who drinks carrot juice instead of blood to strengthen his super abilities in new paranormal adventures.[3]

Bunnicula
Genre
Based on
Developed byJessica Borutski
Voices of
Theme music composerPaul E. Francis
Opening theme"Bunnicula Theme"
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No.of seasons3
No.of episodes104(list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerSam Register
Producers
  • Jessica Borutski
  • Maxwell Atoms(season 1)
  • Shaunt Nigoghossian(season 2)
EditorNick Reczynski
Running time10-11 minutes
Production companyWarner Bros. Animation
Original release
Network
ReleaseFebruary 6, 2016(2016-02-06)
December 30, 2018(2018-12-30)

Plot

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After moving toNew Orleanswith her father and pets, Chester & Harold, Mina Monroe is left with a key given to her by her late Aunt Marie that she uses to open a cellar in the Orlock Apartments. Doing this frees a vampire rabbit named Bunnicula who drains vegetables instead of blood to strengthen his powers. Unaware of his traits, she adopts him and makes him a new member of the Monroe family. The series is mostly set with Chester and Harold joining Bunnicula in his supernatural adventures involving situations only he can solve.

Episodes

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
1408February 6, 2016(2016-02-06)March 12, 2016(2016-03-12)Cartoon Network
32April 11, 2017(2017-04-11)December 21, 2017(2017-12-21)Boomerang
Boomerang SVOD
240December 21, 2017(2017-12-21)November 29, 2018(2018-11-29)Boomerang
Boomerang SVOD
324December 1, 2018(2018-12-01)December 30, 2018(2018-12-30)

Characters

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Main

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  • Bunnicula (voiced byChris Kattan[4]) is the titular character of the show. He is a vampiricDutch rabbitand the former pet of Dracula who was sealed in a cellar until Mina freed him. Bunnicula usually speaks in gibberish, although Harold and other supernatural creatures can understand him. He can fly by transforming his ears into bat wings and gain various abilities by eating specific foods.
  • Chester (voiced bySean Astin)[4]is Mina's sarcastic petSiamese cat.Although he does value Bunnicula as a friend, he is often exasperated with him. This is mainly because he is constantly terrified of the monsters and supernatural phenomena that happen around him and his friends.
  • Harold (voiced by Brian Kimmet[4]) is Mina's pet dog. He loves his friends Chester and Bunnicula, and their owner, Mina. He is not particularly intelligent, but despite this he is the only one who can fluently understand Bunnicula and usually translates for him to Chester. He is also fiercely loyal and values the friendships he has.
  • Mina Monroe (voiced byKari Wahlgren[4]) is a 13-year-old girl who has just moved toNew Orleansfrom middle America with her father.[4]She freed Bunnicula from his prison in the cellar with a key that her aunt Marie gave her. Additionally, Mina is oblivious to Bunnicula's vampiric nature until the series finale, but chooses to embrace him after learning.

Others

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  • Arthur Monroe (voiced by Chris Kattan) is Mina's father who moves with his daughter to New Orleans from Middle America after inheriting an apartment from Aunt Marie. His face is usually unseen, blocked by the camera or other obstacles.
  • Marsha (voiced by Monie Mon) is Mina's cautious and shy best friend, who serves as afoilto her. Marsha is extremely unlucky and often the only human to notice supernatural activity.
  • Becky (voiced byKate Higgins) is Mina's other best friend. Becky is very monotone and sarcastic, acting like the stereotypical teenage girl.
  • Scott Dingleman (voiced byScott Menville) is Mina's love interest who shares many of her interests. After Bunnicula, Chester, and Harold accidentally erase and restore his memories, Scott gains the ability to understand them, but chooses to keep it a secret.
  • Madame Polidori (voiced byGrey Griffin) is the owner of a shop that sells supernatural objects. She is named forJohn Polidori,author ofThe Vampyre.
  • Patches (voiced byEric Bauza) is a laidback, fun-loving "weredude", a cat with the ability to transform into a human. He moves into the Orlock Apartments in the episode "Revenge of the Return of the Curse of the Weredude".
  • Lugosi (voiced byRichard Steven Horvitz) is a deformed and insaneguinea pigobsessed with serving Bunnicula. He is later adopted by Marsha, who he declares his new master. He is named forBela Lugosi,the first actor to portray Dracula.
  • Rusty Bones (voiced byGreg Eagles) is the ghost of a depressed blues singer who sings about his life and curses anyone who mocks him.
  • Fluffy (voiced bySumalee Montano) is aDoberman Pinscherwho hunts vampires and is initially an enemy to Bunnicula before they become friends.
  • Elvira (voiced byKari Wahlgren) is an imaginary cat.
  • Veronica Rabbit (voiced byAbby Trott) is a rabbit.
  • Baron Karloff (voiced byDonovan Patton) is a vampiricFrench Bulldogand fan of Fluffy. He is named forBoris Karloff,who portrayedFrankenstein's monster.
  • Hamburger Cheese (voiced byScott Menville) is Mina's childhood imaginary friend.
  • Mike Myers (voiced byJeff Bergman) is a false animal protection officer.
  • Cassandra (voiced byAudrey Wasilewski) is a ghostly Southern alligator.
  • Rafferty (voiced byRichard Steven Horvitz) is an albino squirrel.
  • Count Cavanda (voiced byScott Menville) is a vampire tick. Count Cavanda is a parody ofCount Dracula.
  • Dr. Pistachio (voiced byEric Bauza) is a squirrel.
  • Kenko (voiced byPatrick Warburton) is an evil wrath demon.
  • Chaos (voiced byFred Tatasciore) is a cattle-headed demon gangster.
  • The West-End Lionesses are a gang of anthropomorphic lionesses who operate inWest End, New Orleans.
  • The South Street Soul Stealers are a gang ofspiritual skullswho operate on South Street.
  • The Spanish Moss Swamp Beasts are a gang ofswamp monsters.
  • The Dumont Moth Men are a gang ofmothmen.
  • The Bay City Krakens are a gang ofKrakens.
  • The Jefferson Parish Pixies (all voiced byKaren Fukuhara) are a pixie gang who operate inJefferson Parish.
  • The Gentilly Rat Pack are a gang of anthropomorphic rats who operate in the sewers ofGentilly.They consist of an unnamed leader (voiced by Robert Catrini), Carmine, Danny, Enzo, Rocko, and Big Tony.
  • The Futbol Furries are a gang of soccer-playing werewolves. They are led by an unnamed leader (voiced byRhasaan Orange).
  • The Skeleton Crew are a gang of skeletons who are vulnerable to Harold's love of bones.
  • Bunnicula's Brother (voiced by Chris Kattan) is Bunnicula's younger brother, who can drain life force instead of juice. He attacks various supernatural creatures before Bunnicula defeats him and pacifies him with love energy.

Broadcast

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Bunniculapremiered onCartoon Networkon February 6, 2016, and then premiered onBoomerangon the same day.[5][6]The series was picked up for a second and third season, but moved to Boomerang entirely on April 11, 2017.[7][8]

In May 2018, Warner Bros. announced that the third season ofBunniculawould premiere on the Boomerang streaming service in 2019. However, every episode from that season first premiered on the Boomerang network, airing from December 1, and ending on December 30. After the series ended, reruns continued to air on Boomerang until 2021.

InCanada,the series started airing onTeletoonon April 2, 2016.[9]The series premiered onBoomerangon May 2 in the United Kingdom and Ireland.[10]The series premiered onBoomerangon July 18 in Australia and New Zealand.[11]

InIndia,the series was premiered onPogo.[12][13]

The series was formerly streamed on Boomerang's SVOD subscription service from 2017 to 2023.[14]As of 2021, the first season is viewable by purchase on YouTube, within the United States, on both an individual-episode and full season basis.

Home media

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"Night of the Vegetable", a 2-disc DVD set featuring the first 20 episodes of season one, was released on June 27, 2017, by Warner Home Video.[15]Originally, Warner Home Video was planning to release another 2-disc DVD set featuring the remaining 20 episodes of season one on February 13, 2018,[16]but that release was cancelled for unknown reasons. Instead, Warner Home Video released "The Complete First Season", a 4-disc set containing all 40 episodes from season one, on May 8 the same year.[17]

Bunniculahome video releases
Season Episodes Release dates
Region 1
1 40 Volume 1: Night of the Vegetable (episodes 1–20): June 27, 2017
The Complete First Season: May 8, 2018

Reception

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It has received positive reviews.Common Sense Mediagave the series three stars out of five. Critic Emily Ashby states that the series is a fun pick for the whole family to enjoy with its silly antics and lighthearted paranormality.[18]

References

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  1. ^"People seem to think you're making a Bunnicula...".Retrieved on 14 April 2017.
  2. ^"Boomerang Reboots With Original Bugs, Scooby, and Bunnicula".June 30, 2015. Retrieved on 14 April 2016.
  3. ^"Turner inks original WB content deal for Boomerang".Retrieved on 6 February 2016.
  4. ^abcdeSerrao, Nivea (February 5, 2016)."5 Things to Know About Creepy-Cute Bunnicula From Cartoon Network".TV Insider.RetrievedJune 12,2018.
  5. ^"YouTube".Retrieved on November 13, 2016.
  6. ^"CLIP: Cartoon Network Premieres for February 1, 2016:" Bunnicula "," Clarence "and More - ToonZone News".www.toonzone.net.30 January 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 31 January 2016.Retrieved30 January2016.
  7. ^http://phx.corporate-ir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9Mzg0ODc2fENoaWxkSUQ9LTF8VHlwZT0z&t=1&cb=636372669261790843
  8. ^"Google Photos".photos.google.com.
  9. ^"Bunnicula".Teletoon. Archived fromthe originalon August 5, 2016.RetrievedJune 12,2018.
  10. ^"Boomerang UK And Cartoonito UK May 2016 Highlights".RegularCapital.com.April 18, 2016.RetrievedJune 12,2018.
  11. ^"Cartoon Network Australia And Boomerang Australia July 2016 Highlights".RegularCapital: Cartoon Network International News.Turner Broadcasting System Asia-Pacific/Eckfactor (Press Release). May 29, 2016.RetrievedJune 12,2018.
  12. ^"Cartoon TV Shows, Bunnicula Highlights on POGO".
  13. ^Be Cool Scooby Doo vs Bunnicula | Who gets your vote? Hit like for Scooby Doo and a heart for Bunnicula! | By Pogo TV | Facebook,retrieved2023-12-06
  14. ^"Boomerang heads to Amazon Channels".kidscreen.com.December 12, 2017.RetrievedJune 12,2018.
  15. ^David Lambert."Bunnicula DVD news: Press Release for Season 1, Part 1: Night of the Vegetable - TVShowsOnDVD.com".tvshowsondvd.com.Archived fromthe originalon April 19, 2017.RetrievedApril 19,2017.
  16. ^David Lambert."Bunnicula DVD news: Release Date Found for Season 1, Part 2 in USA, Canada - TVShowsOnDVD.com".tvshowsondvd.com.Archived fromthe originalon March 16, 2018.RetrievedMarch 15,2018.
  17. ^David Lambert."Bunnicula DVD news: Season 1, Part 2 DVD Plans Cancelled, Replaced with Plans for a COMPLETE Season 1 Set! - TVShowsOnDVD.com".tvshowsondvd.com.Archived fromthe originalon March 16, 2018.RetrievedMarch 15,2018.
  18. ^"Bunnicula - TV Review".Common Sense Media. 10 November 2016.RetrievedJune 12,2018.
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