Robotboy
GenreScience fantasy
Action-adventure
Mecha
Comedy
Created byJan Van Rijsselberge
Written byRobert Mittenthal
Michael Rubiner
Directed byCharlie Bean (Series 1)
Bob Camp (Series 2)
Heath Kenny (Series 2)
Voices ofLaurence Bouvard
Lorraine Pilkington
Rupert Degas
Lewis MacLeod
Togo Igawa
Eiji Kusuhara
ComposerHans Helewaut
Country of origin
  • United Kingdom
  • France
  • Luxembourg (Series 1)
Original languages
  • English
  • French
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes52 (104 segments) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersChristian Davin
Clément Clavet
Daniel Lennard
Finn Arnesen (Series 1)
AnimatorsDigital eMation
Monigotez (Series 1)
Carbunkle Cartoons (Series 2)
EditorsAmélie Degouys (Series 1)
Cédric Chaveau (Series 2)
Running time11 minutes (segments)
23 minutes (total)
Production companiesAlphanim
LuxAnimation (Series 1)
Cofinova 1 (Series 1)
Original release
NetworkCartoon Network (U.K.)
France 3 (France)
Release1 November 2005 (2005-11-01) –
27 September 2008 (2008-09-27)

Robotboy is an animated television series that aired from 1 November 2005 to 27 September 2008 on Cartoon Network in the UK.[a] In the United States, it aired on Cartoon Network, premiering on 14 January 2006, after a sneak peek on 28 December 2005 (under their "Sneak Peek Week" for their new lineup).[1] In France, it aired on France 3. Reruns of the series were broadcast around Europe and Latin America, with fewer exceptions shown in Asia.[citation needed]

The series was created by Jan Van Rijsselberge (also a designer) and produced by Alphanim (now Gaumont Animation) at the company's studio in Vincennes. Series 1, produced in association with studios LuxAnimation and Cofinova 1, was directed by American animator Charlie Bean (who worked on Dexter's Laboratory, The Powerpuff Girls, and Samurai Jack); Series 2 was directed by Bob Camp and Heath Kenny. 52 episodes (104 segments) were produced.

Plot

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Robotboy is the latest creation of the world-renowned scientist Professor Moshimo. Due to suspicions that Robotboy would be taken by his arch-enemy Dr. Kamikazi and his main henchman Constantine to be used to take over the world, Professor Moshimo assigns Robotboy to 10-year-old Tommy Turnbull,[2] his biggest fan living in San Francisco. While being protected by Tommy and his two friends Lola and Augustus, Robotboy learns how to behave and act as if he were human while occasionally battling Kamikazi and Constantine who pursued to capture him.

Episodes

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
126November 1, 2005 (2005-11-01)March 8, 2006 (2006-03-08)
226October 29, 2007 (2007-10-29)September 27, 2008 (2008-09-27)

Cast

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Characters

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Protagonists

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Supporting

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Antagonists

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Reception

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Emily Ashby of Common Sense Media rated the show 2/5 stars, stating that "with its monotonous plotlines and a villain whose common sense is questionable, Robotboy is a mediocre choice."[3]

Home video and digital releases

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StudioCanal released three DVD volumes of Robotboy from 2007 only in France. As of October 2019, Series 2 is currently available on Starz's streaming service in the United States, leaving Series 1 currently unavailable.[4] The complete series were shown available in both English and French via YouTube.[5][6]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Prior to debuting its airdate, the series was shown during the MIPCOM annual trading program on October 12, 2005.

References

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  1. ^ Crump, William D. (27 April 2017). How the Movies Saved Christmas: 228 Rescues from Clausnappers, Sleigh Crashes, Lost Presents and Holiday Disasters. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-6488-0.
  2. ^ a b "Tommy". cartoonnetwork.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
  3. ^ Ashby, Emily (28 February 2022). "Parents' Guide to Robotboy". Common Sense Media. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  4. ^ "The Best Movies and TV Shows to Watch on Starz in October". Vanity Fair. 4 October 2019.
  5. ^ "Robotboy". YouTube. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  6. ^ "Robotboy en français". YouTube. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
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