She-Ra: Princess of Power
Encyclopedia
She-Ra: Princess of Power is an American
animated television series produced in 1985 by Filmation
. It is a spinoff of Filmation's highly successful He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
series, aimed primarily at a young girls' audience to counter-balance the latter show's popularity with boys. As was the case with its predecessor, the show was based on a toy line by Mattel
(titled Princess of Power
, itself a spin-off from Mattel's Masters of the Universe
line) and was produced with financial backing from Mattel to promote the toys. The show follows the adventures of She-Ra
, He-Man's twin sister, who is leading a group of freedom fighters known as the Great Rebellion in the hope of freeing their homeworld of Etheria
from the tyrannical rule of Hordak
and the Evil Horde
. She-Ra makes her début in He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword, a full length animated movie that was created by compiling together the first five episodes of the-then forthcoming syndicated series: "Into Etheria", "Beast Island", "She-Ra Unchained", "Reunions" and "Battle For Bright Moon". The series premiered in 1985 and was cancelled in 1986, after 2 seasons and 93 episodes. Reruns aired on USA Network from September 1988 to September 1989. Reruns of the show currently air on the Qubo Night Owl Block, and on the Retro Television Network
, as well as Teletoon Retro
in Canada.
She-Ra first appears alongside He-Man
in the theatrical film The Secret of the Sword
, which eventually became the first five episodes of the She-Ra series. She-Ra is He-Man's twin sister who was kidnapped at birth by Hordak
and taken to Etheria, where she served as a Horde Force Captain before being rescued by He-Man and joining the Great Rebellion. With her Sword of Protection Adora can become She-Ra; just as Prince Adam can become He-Man. After reuniting with her parents she decides to return to Etheria.
) released all 93 episodes of She-Ra: Princess of Power on DVD in Region 1 in 3 volumes in 2006-2007. Each volume contains an extensive array of special features including documentaries, character profiles, commentaries, DVD-ROM features, trivia, photo galleries and more. As of 2009, these releases have been discontinued and are out of print as BCI Eclipse ceased operations.
On May 31, 2010, Classic Media
announced that they plan on re-releasing the series on DVD in Region 1. They subsequently re-released Season 1, volume 1 on September 28, 2010. Unlike the BCI Eclipse release however, this release contains fewer episodes, a 2-disc set featuring 20 episodes. On January 24, 2011, Classic Media released She-Ra: The Princess of Power - The Complete Series.
On October 19, 2009, Universal Pictures UK (Under license from Classic Media
) released Season One, volume one in the UK, exclusively through retailer HMV
. It is available in their stores and through their website. Since early 2010, other retailers like Amazon.co.uk, have also began selling the box set.
In Region 4, Madman Entertainment
has released the entire series on DVD in Australia in 3 volume sets (similar to BCI Eclipse releases).
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
animated television series produced in 1985 by Filmation
Filmation
Filmation Associates was an American production company that produced animation and live action programming for television during the latter half of the 20th century. Located in Reseda, California, the animation studio was founded in 1963...
. It is a spinoff of Filmation's highly successful He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is an American animated television series produced by Filmation based on Mattel's successful toy line Masters of the Universe...
series, aimed primarily at a young girls' audience to counter-balance the latter show's popularity with boys. As was the case with its predecessor, the show was based on a toy line by Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
(titled Princess of Power
Princess of Power
Princess of Power is a toyline created by Mattel. Among others, it features the characters of She-Ra and Catra on planet Etheria...
, itself a spin-off from Mattel's Masters of the Universe
Masters of the Universe
Masters of the Universe is a media franchise created by Mattel....
line) and was produced with financial backing from Mattel to promote the toys. The show follows the adventures of She-Ra
She-Ra
She-Ra is a fictional character and the heroine in the Filmation cartoon and series of toys produced by Mattel called She-Ra: Princess of Power. She is the alter ego of Princess Adora and the twin sister of He-Man. She-Ra was intended to appeal to young girls in the same way that He-Man appealed to...
, He-Man's twin sister, who is leading a group of freedom fighters known as the Great Rebellion in the hope of freeing their homeworld of Etheria
Etheria (She-Ra)
Etheria is a fictional planet introduced in the animated film The Secret of the Sword. It is the main setting of the She-Ra: Princess of Power animated series.-History:Etheria was founded by a group of beings known only as The First Ones...
from the tyrannical rule of Hordak
Hordak
Hordak is a fictional character in the Masters of the Universe franchise, as a villain who opposes She-Ra, He-Man, and villain Skeletor. In the She-Ra cartoon, he is the leader of the segment of the fictional Evil Horde on the planet Etheria, an army of savage warriors, most of whom wear a red...
and the Evil Horde
Evil Horde
The Evil Horde, more frequently referred to as the Horde, is a group of fictional characters featured in She-Ra: Princess of Power and He-Man and the Masters of the Universe cartoons, comics and toys...
. She-Ra makes her début in He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword, a full length animated movie that was created by compiling together the first five episodes of the-then forthcoming syndicated series: "Into Etheria", "Beast Island", "She-Ra Unchained", "Reunions" and "Battle For Bright Moon". The series premiered in 1985 and was cancelled in 1986, after 2 seasons and 93 episodes. Reruns aired on USA Network from September 1988 to September 1989. Reruns of the show currently air on the Qubo Night Owl Block, and on the Retro Television Network
Retro Television Network
The Retro Television Network is a system of television stations that airs classic television shows as well as more recently produced programs...
, as well as Teletoon Retro
Teletoon Retro
Teletoon Retro is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel based on the Teletoon programming block Teletoon Retro. The service consists of animation series from Canada and around the world, all of which commenced production at least 10 years prior to their exhibition...
in Canada.
She-Ra first appears alongside He-Man
He-Man
He-Man is a fictional heroic character featured in the Masters of the Universe media franchise. In most variations, he is the alter ego of Prince Adam...
in the theatrical film The Secret of the Sword
The Secret of the Sword
He-Man and She-Ra: The Secret of the Sword is a 1985 American animated feature film produced by Filmation. Although released before the series She-Ra: Princess of Power began, the film was a compilation of the first five episodes with minor edits made....
, which eventually became the first five episodes of the She-Ra series. She-Ra is He-Man's twin sister who was kidnapped at birth by Hordak
Hordak
Hordak is a fictional character in the Masters of the Universe franchise, as a villain who opposes She-Ra, He-Man, and villain Skeletor. In the She-Ra cartoon, he is the leader of the segment of the fictional Evil Horde on the planet Etheria, an army of savage warriors, most of whom wear a red...
and taken to Etheria, where she served as a Horde Force Captain before being rescued by He-Man and joining the Great Rebellion. With her Sword of Protection Adora can become She-Ra; just as Prince Adam can become He-Man. After reuniting with her parents she decides to return to Etheria.
Plot
The show revolves around Adora's adventures with the Great Rebellion battling against the evil Horde, of which she was once part. It was virtually identical to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe in structure, even down to the show's opening introduction, some of the theme music, and the fact that Adora's secret identity is shared by three other characters. In the storyline, the Horde once ruled Eternia and Skeletor worked for Hordak as his second-in-command. The Horde was defeated by King Randor and the Masters and Hordak fled Eternia, taking Randor's infant daughter with him, leaving Skeletor behind as the main bad guy on Eternia. Many characters from He-Man guest starred frequently on She-Ra's show.Series run
The first season of the show ran five days a week, like He-Man, with the second season being reduced to a Saturday morning cartoon. She-Ra ended in 1987, and the character was never again mentioned in any other version of He-Man. It was intended that She-Ra and her cast of characters would be re-introduced into the 2002 He-Man reboot series. However due to the series being canceled, this never came to be.Cast
- Melendy BrittMelendy BrittMelendy Britt is an American actress active in television and voice acting since the 1970s. Her most notable animated work is for Filmation, voicing characters such as She-Ra, Princess Adora, and the second animated Batgirl...
- Princess Adora/She-Ra, Catra, Madame Razz, Mermista, Jewelstar, Octavia - George DiCenzoGeorge DiCenzoGeorge Ralph DiCenzo was an American character actor and one-time associate producer for Dark Shadows. He was in show business for more than 30 years, with extensive film, TV, stage and commercial credits.-Life and career:...
- Hordak, Bow, General Sundar, Sea Hawk, Red Knight, Duke Dreer, Dylamug (shared), Vultak, Tung Lashor - Alan OppenheimerAlan OppenheimerAlan Oppenheimer is an American character actor and voice actor. He has performed numerous roles on live-action television since the 1960s, and has had an active career doing voice work in cartoons since the 1970s.-Early life:...
- Skeletor, Cringer/Battle Cat, Man-At-Arms, Grizzlor, Modulok - Diane PershingDiane PershingDiane Pershing, born and raised in Queens, New York, is a romance novelist, television writer and voice actor.She wrote episodes for the television series The Love Boat and What's Happening Now!!...
- Netossa, Spinerella, Sweet Bee - Lou ScheimerLou ScheimerLouis Scheimer is an Emmy and Grammy Award–winning American producer, one of the original founders of Filmation, an animation company, and also an executive producer of many of its cartoons .-Career:Early in Filmation's history, Scheimer also contributed...
- Kowl, Mantenna, Leech, Horde Troopers, Horde Prime, Spirit/Swift Wind, Light Hope, Loo-Kee, Orko, Snout Spout, Inspector Darkney - Linda GaryLinda GaryLinda Gary was an American voice actor and voice-over artist, who has worked on multiple animated projects.-Personal life:Linda Gary Dewoskin was born in California on November 4, 1944....
- Teela, Glimmer, Shadow Weaver, Scorpia, Castaspella, Entrapta - John ErwinJohn ErwinJohn Lee Erwin is a voice actor known for voicing Morris the Cat and He-Man.-Career:Erwin was the voice of He-Man in the Filmation production He-Man and the Masters of the Universe that ran from 1983 to 1985. Due to the extreme cost-cutting by Filmation, the cast of voice actors was small, and...
- Prince Adam/He-Man, Beast Man - Erika ScheimerErika ScheimerErika Scheimer is an occasional voice-actress in the cartoons of the defunct Filmation animation-studio. She is the daughter of Lou Scheimer, who was an integral member of Filmation and a voice actor in his own right....
- Queen Angella, Flutterina, Frosta, Imp, Starla, Peekablue, Perfuma
Reaction
The important characters on She-Ra: Princess of Power were predominantly female. With the exception of Hordak (the evil villain), Bow, and Sea Hawk (who only made a few appearances), the male characters were secondary or portrayed as weaker, silly, bumbling comic relief type characters. By contrast, most of the female characters on the show (which were much more plentiful) were usually powerful and authoritative or formidable and significant in some way. unlike He-man there was less violence and the animation on She-Ra was more vibrant and colorful than on the He-Man show. These were attempts to make the show appeal more to girls.DVD releases
BCI Eclipse LLC (under license from Entertainment RightsEntertainment Rights
Entertainment Rights Plc was a global media company. Its main role was in children and family television programming.The group was established in 1989 as Sleepykids. In 1999 it become entertainment rights and was focused on the creation and exploitation of major children's characters and brands...
) released all 93 episodes of She-Ra: Princess of Power on DVD in Region 1 in 3 volumes in 2006-2007. Each volume contains an extensive array of special features including documentaries, character profiles, commentaries, DVD-ROM features, trivia, photo galleries and more. As of 2009, these releases have been discontinued and are out of print as BCI Eclipse ceased operations.
On May 31, 2010, Classic Media
Classic Media
Classic Media, LLC, is an American production company and distributor of family programming. It was founded in 2000 by former Marvel Entertainment CEO Eric Ellenbogen and former Broadway Video executive John Engelman in hopes of acquiring mismanaged classic properties and giving exposure to...
announced that they plan on re-releasing the series on DVD in Region 1. They subsequently re-released Season 1, volume 1 on September 28, 2010. Unlike the BCI Eclipse release however, this release contains fewer episodes, a 2-disc set featuring 20 episodes. On January 24, 2011, Classic Media released She-Ra: The Princess of Power - The Complete Series.
On October 19, 2009, Universal Pictures UK (Under license from Classic Media
Classic Media
Classic Media, LLC, is an American production company and distributor of family programming. It was founded in 2000 by former Marvel Entertainment CEO Eric Ellenbogen and former Broadway Video executive John Engelman in hopes of acquiring mismanaged classic properties and giving exposure to...
) released Season One, volume one in the UK, exclusively through retailer HMV
HMV
His Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
. It is available in their stores and through their website. Since early 2010, other retailers like Amazon.co.uk, have also began selling the box set.
In Region 4, Madman Entertainment
Madman Entertainment
Madman Entertainment is an Australian company that distributes international films as well as Japanese anime and manga in Australia and New Zealand. The company is owned by Funtastic Limited and is one of the major entertainment companies in Australia. It employs 130 people and has an annual...
has released the entire series on DVD in Australia in 3 volume sets (similar to BCI Eclipse releases).
| DVD Name | Ep# | Release dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 | Region 4 | ||
| Season 1, Volume 1 | 33 | November 7, 2006 (BCI) | March 15, 2007 |
| Season 1, Volume 2 | 33 | April 3, 2007 (BCI) | August 16, 2007 |
| Season 2 | 28 | September 4, 2007 (BCI) | December 5, 2007 |
| The Complete Series | 94 | January 24, 2011 | June 24, 2009 |
External links
- She-Ra: Princess of Power at YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
- She-Ra: PrincessofPower.co.uk for News and Info
- She-Ra: Princess of Power at HuluHuluHulu is a website and over-the-top subscription service offering ad-supported on-demand streaming video of TV shows, movies, webisodes and other new media, trailers, clips, and behind-the-scenes footage from NBC, Fox, ABC, and Obstacle on October 20th 2011 Nickelodeon and CBS and many other...
- The Ultimate She - Ra Website Guide