Research, several charity minded search engines and other blog posts that I totally didn't steal information from. These are the secret ingredients needed to create the perfect PPG facts list. From pilot to final differences to the inspirations behind certain characters, here are 10 power packed facts about The Powerpuff Girls. Quick note: This blog will be discussing the original series. Other PPG series like Powerpuff Girls Z, and the 2016 reboot/attempt to destroy this beloved series might get they're own lists someday.
#10: It was originally a more mature show
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| It's like a reverse Family Guy up in here! |
Way back in 1992, series creator Craig McCracken made a college short called Whoopass Stew. In true early pilot tradition, this was a different take on the show, featuring a literal can of whoopass in place of Chemical X, a completely different design for Professor Utonium, an actually threatening version of the Ameba Boys, and it ended with the girls killing said Ameba Boys by flying them into the sun.
#9: It started on a different show
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| If I had quarter for every cartoon I talked about that started on an anthology, I'd be one more example away from a dollar! |
This was one of several CN shows that started out on The What A Cartoon Show. While the episodes produced for this show, Meat Fuzzy Lumpkins and Crime 101, are closer in tone to the show than Whoopass Stew, there were still some differences between them and the final product. These include a more fluid animation compared to the psuedo-anime style of the show, Fuzzy Lumpkins being a hillbilly scientist instead of an anger prone dumb muscle, a completely different mayor voiced by Jim Cummings, and the narrator being voiced by the late Ernie Anderson instead of Tom Kenny.
#8: Foreign names
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| Geez girls, pick a name! |
We all know the girls as Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup in the USA, but the girls have different names in other countries. For example: In latin America they're called Bubble, Chocolate and Acorn. In Italy they went by Dolly, Lolly, and Molly. And in Poland, they were referred to as Bojka, Bajka, and Brawurka.
#7: Mojo Jojo came from a Japanese show (kind of)
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| Mojo's a supervillain and a plagiarist! That's never a good combo! |
The inspiration for Mojo Jojo came from not one, but two obscure Tokusatus. Character wise, he was based-off the antagonist for Spectreman, Dr. Gori. In addition, his helmet was based off that of Kageo Sugata, the protagonist of The Kagestar.
#6: It was almost something else
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| A change in plans didn't stop good ole CN from having it's Lucha cartoon! |
Before Whoopass Stew, Craig originally intended to make a short starring a crime fighting luchador wrestler. This concept was changed when he drew a birthday card for his brother, which featured three cute, Margaret Keane-inspired girls.
#5: It was originally pitched to Nickelodeon
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| Much like Adventure Time, this show was almost a Nicktoon! |
Before it became one of Cartoon Network's most iconic shows, The Powerpuff Girls was pitched to rival network Nickelodeon. It was turned down because it didn't fit the direction Nick was heading for with their cartoons.
#4: See Me, Feel Me, Ban Me
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| What do these atheists have against Jesus?! |
There were several theories as to why the episode See Me, Feel Me, Gnomey was banned in the US. Some believed it was because of the flashing lights in some scenes, while others thought it had a capitalism vs communism message, while others still believed the cult theme was to blame. According to Craig McCracken, the episode was banned because of an assumed Christian allegory due to a scene with a random person who looks like the classic interpretation of Jesus.
#3: The Rowdy Ruff Boys were originally one shots
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| Some villains are just too good to throw away, just ask Zetton! |
The evil counterparts to the girls known as the Rowdy Ruff Boys were originally only gonna show up in their debut episode, which ended with them exploding. However, they were very popular with the fanbase and as such they eventually started making regular appearances starting in season 5.
#2: The creator's leave of absence
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| He went on to bigger, better things! |
Series creator Craig McCracken left the show after its fourth season concluded and would later on create shows like Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Wander Over Yonder, and Kid Cosmic. For the last 2 seasons Craig left future Loud House creator Chris Savino in charge of the show, which ended when they both agreed that it ran its course during season 6. On a side note, it was when he was working on this show that he'd find his wife, future My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic creator Lauren Faust.
#1: It was the first (and for a while last) Cartoon Network show to get a theatrical movie
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| It's a crying shame this never caught on! |
Back during its heyday, this show was a big enough cultural phenomenon to rival the likes of SpongeBob and Mario. As such, it wound up being the first Cartoon Network to get a theatrical movie. Unfortunately, the movie proved to be a financial failure despite glowing reviews and future CN movies like Ed Edd N Eddy's Big Picture Show and Billy & Mandy's Big Boogie Adventure would be released straight to Television. It wasn't until 2018 when CN would try theatrical releases again with Teen Titans Go! Go the Movies.
You know what they say, cute and violence go hand in hand. If you can think of any facts I may've missed or believe I screwed something up, there's a comment section at the bottom. Thanks for reading and have a glass of Chemical X, on me!
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