Жер құрты Джим: Анимациялық телесериал

American animated television series

Earthworm Jim is an American animated television series based on the video game series of the same name that aired on The WB's Kids' WB strand for two seasons from September 9, 1995, to December 13, 1996. A co production between Universal Cartoon Studios and Flextech Plc and based on the video game series of the same name from Playmates and Shiny Entertainment with characters created by Doug TenNapel, the series follows the adventures of the titular character who battles the forces of evil using a robotic suit.

Most episodes involve the series' numerous villains attempting to reclaim the super suit or conquer the universe. However, some episodes have Jim facing more mundane issues, which include returning his neighbor's eggbeater and finding a new power source after his suit's battery runs out. Also, the show breaks the fourth wall with characters often talking to the audience and the narrator. Episodes begin with a cold opening of Earthworm Jim and Peter Puppy in some peril that has nothing to do with the main plot or the past episodes, with little statement of how they got into the mess. In between parts (generally before or after the commercial break), there is a short side story, generally featuring one of the villains doing a more natural part of life, usually without any involvement from Jim. Both of these are changed in season 2, with the cold opens being more relevant to the plot and the side stories being dropped entirely. Most episodes end with a character being crushed by a cow, a homage to the original game's ending.

Most of the main characters from the show originated from characters introduced in the video game series. Peter Puppy becomes Jim's sidekick and friend and Princess What's Her Name is featured as his love interest. Several antagonists from the games such as Evil the Cat, Psy Crow, Bob the Killer Goldfish, Queen Slug for a Butt, and Professor Monkey for a Head also appear in the series. Additionally, some original characters were also created for the series, and were then in turn integrated into future games in the series. For example, Evil Jim, an evil doppelgänger of Jim created for the series, went on to be the main antagonist in Earthworm Jim: Menace 2 the Galaxy.

The voice director for the series was Ginny McSwain.

In 1995, TenNapel and Will Meugniot created a pitch animation video for WB, which showcased a different animation style and Jim not speaking (voice was done by TenNapel). On August 23rd of 2022, a YouTube user named gooberloll uploaded the pitch video. However, while Meugniot left to supervise season 4 of X Men, the Graz Entertainment produced first season of Street Fighter and consulting on G. I. Joe Extreme, someone at the network decided that Jim had to talk.

Two seasons of the series were produced, for a total of 23 episodes.

MCA/Universal Merchandising held consumer product rights for the series. A line of action figures based on the show was released by Playmates Toys. The series included several variants of Earthworm Jim, as well as Peter Puppy, Princess What's Her Name, Bob the Killer Goldfish, #4, Evil the Cat, Henchrat, Major Mucus and Psy Crow. A mountable "pocket rocket" was also available as well as a rare mail in repainted figure of Earthworm Jim in a green suit. Premium DNA made a new line of action figures (Wave 1) set to ship this month.

In the United States, the show was aired on Kids' WB on The WB Television Network from 1995 to 1996. The show premiered in the United Kingdom on co production partner Flextech's TCC network around the same time. The show was promoted with a country wide roadshow campaign held at shopping centres. Following this, the show later made it's free TV debut on Channel 4. In the 2000's, the show reran on Nickelodeon and Nicktoons TV.

In Ireland, the show was aired on RTÉ Two from 12 September 1996 to 1997. In Canada, the show was aired on YTV. In Mexico, the show was aired on TV Azteca. In Germany, the show was aired on RTL. In the Netherlands, the show was aired on Kindernet. In Poland, the show was aired on RTL 7. In Spain, the series was dubbed in different languages apart from Castilian Spanish, like the Basque language.

Four VHS volumes were released by MCA/Universal Home Video in September 1996, each containing two episodes. The complete series was intended to receive a U. S. DVD release from Visual Entertainment (under license from [[NBCUniversal) on 2012 7 10, but was delayed right before release to late October. The set includes all 23 episodes on 3 discs, and is currently available on Amazon. com. Digitally, the complete series was formerly available on Tubi, but has since been removed. NameRelease DateEpisodesRegionAdditional InformationVol. 1: Bring Me the Head of Earthworm Jim / Sword of Righteousness1996 4 92VHSIncludes animation featurette. Vol. 2: Conqueror Worm / Day of the Fish1996 4 92VHSIncludes animation featurette. Vol. 3: Assault & Battery / Trout!1996 4 92VHSIncludes animation featurette. Vol. 4: The Book of Doom / The Egg Beater1996 4 92VHSIncludes animation featurette. Earthworm Jim: The Complete Series2011 6 1234Includes no bonus features. Earthworm Jim: Complete Series231Includes no bonus features.

CIC Video released three VHS volumes of the series in the 1990s in the United Kingdom, each containing two episodes. These are now out of print and considered rare. On June 1, 2011, Via Vision Entertainment, under license from Universal, released the complete series as a 5 disc set in Australia and New Zealand.

Aspects of the show, such as newly created characters, or art style, were later implemented in future video games Earthworm Jim 3D and Earthworm Jim: Menace 2 the Galaxy. Two Earthworm Jim comic book series, in the US and UK, were also created to tie into the animated series. On November 18, 2021, it was reported that a new animated television series titled Earthworm Jim: Beyond the Groovy is in development. A year later, it was announced that Paris animation studio Circus Studios joined Passion Pictures as a partner on the show. One of the writers on the show, Brent Friedman, said on X (formerly Twitter) that the project is on hold.