"He-Man and the Masters of the Universe" (2002) TV series

Director:

Jong-Sik Nam

Writers:

James Eatock (writer)
Randy Littlejohn (writer)
(more)

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

26 August 2002 (USA)

Genre:

Adventure | Animation | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Action

Tagline:

A sword will choose a master, a boy will become a man, and a hero will be born.

Plot:

In Eternia, a young prince gains the ability to become a powerful warrior to aid in the war against the forces Skeletor.

Plot Keywords:

Castle | He Man | Masters Of The Universe | Prince | Villainess

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Cam Clarke	...	He-Man / ... (39 episodes, 2002-2004)
Gary Chalk	...	Man-At-Arms / ... (38 episodes, 2002-2004)
Scott McNeil	...	Beastman / ... (38 episodes, 2002-2004)
Brian Dobson	...	Skeletor / ... (37 episodes, 2002-2004)
Lisa Ann Beley	...	Teela / ... (34 episodes, 2002-2004)
Kathleen Barr	...	Evil-Lyn / ... (32 episodes, 2002-2004)
Gabe Khouth	...	Orko / ... (30 episodes, 2002-2004)
Nicole Oliver	...	Sorceress / ... (28 episodes, 2002-2004)
Paul Dobson	...	Trap-Jaw / ... (28 episodes, 2002-2004)
Michael Donovan	...	King Randor / ... (24 episodes, 2002-2004)
Brian Drummond	...	Stinkor / ... (22 episodes, 2002-2003)

Series Directed by
Gary Hartle		(14 episodes, 2002-2003)
Jong-Sik Nam		(unknown episodes)

Series Writing credits
Steven Melching		(6 episodes, 2002-2003)
Kevin Campbell		(3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Dean Stefan		(3 episodes, 2002)
William Forrest Cluverius		(2 episodes, 2002-2003)
Michael Reaves		(2 episodes, 2002)
James Eatock		(unknown episodes)
Randy Littlejohn		(unknown episodes)
Ian Richter		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Michelle Cogan	....	associate producer (2 episodes, 2002)
Bill Schultz	....	executive producer (2 episodes, 2002)
Liz Young	....	co-producer (2 episodes, 2002)
Mike Young	....	co-producer (2 episodes, 2002)
Ian Richter	....	producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Joseph LoDuca		(unknown episodes)

Series Art Direction by
Ellen Jin		(4 episodes, 2002)

Series Art Department
Jay Oliva	....	storyboard supervisor (9 episodes, 2002-2003)
Adam Van Wyk	....	storyboard artist (5 episodes, 2002)
Lynell Forestall	....	storyboard artist (4 episodes, 2002)
Vinton Heuck	....	storyboard artist (4 episodes, 2002)
Eric Canete	....	storyboard artist (3 episodes, 2002)
Tim Divar	....	storyboard artist (3 episodes, 2002)
Alan Wan	....	storyboard artist (3 episodes, 2002)
Dave Bullock	....	storyboard artist (2 episodes, 2002)
Ron Frenz	....	storyboard artist (2 episodes, 2002)
Chap Yaep	....	storyboard artist (2 episodes, 2002)

Series Sound Department
Elizabeth Hinson	....	sound editor (unknown episodes)
Rick Hinson	....	supervising sound editor (unknown episodes)

Series Visual Effects by
Shant Jordan	....	3D modeler (unknown episodes)

Series Animation Department
Kirk Tingblad	....	timing director (39 episodes, 2002-2004)
Steve Vallino	....	animatic editor (3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Erick Aragon	....	color key artist (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Steve Vallino	....	assistant editor (3 episodes, 2002-2003)

Series Music Department
Randall Monday	....	music editor / music engineer (26 episodes, 2002-2003)
Scott Davidson	....	music engineer (13 episodes, 2003-2004)
Terry Reiff	....	music editor (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Dean Stefan	....	story editor (6 episodes, 2002-2003)
Jeremy Lang	....	director of information technology (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• BLT Productions
• Mattel
• Mike Young Productions

Distributors

• Cartoon Network
• YTV

Other Companies

• Marshall/Plumb Research Associates  script research
• Mattel  merchandise

Also Known As:

He-Man (USA) (promotional title)
Masters of the Universe vs. the Snake Men (USA) (new title)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:TV-Y7

Company:

BLT Productions

Trivia:

Just as the original cartoon series did, this series serves as a launching board for the release of new He-Man action figures by Mattel.

Quotes:

Prince Adam: By the Power of Grayskull
[Turns into He-Man]
He-Man: I have the power.

Movie Connections:

Version of Masters of the Universe (1987)

Pleasant Surprise of 80s nostalgia

While attempts at reviving old 80s properties have fell flat to a certain extent (TransFormers: Robots in Disguise and Armada anyone?), the new He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is a nice little revisit to after school cartoons.

There are neat little tweaks here and there to the mythos, such as the fact that Cringer/Battlecat does not talk (sort of a shame, considering that he provided some of the funniest dialogue in the original 80s cartoon, but considering that Orco is already the comic relief character, it's not necessary), He-Man looks completely different from his civilian alter-ego, plus updates to the character design. But the best thing about it is that kids and nostalgic adults can appreciate this.

Just as a side note -- animation fans will instantly recognize many of the voice actors in this show. Man-At-Arms sounds suspiciously like Optimus Primal from Beast Wars, Merman sounds supiciously like Waspinator (also from Beast Wars), while Prince Adam sounds suspiciously like Leonardo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (but I could be thinking about Goku from Dragon Ball Z).