Super Inggo at ang Super Tropa (2009)

After Tutubi Patrol then BIDA, there goes Super Inggo at ang Super Tropa (Super Inggo and the Super Troop) which it airs this 2009 in ABS-CBN. Apparently, this show is the first-animated series in ABS-CBN and at the same time the station developed it's animation studio called ABS-CBN Animation Department lead by the business unit Guia Jose. But is this show can be received well to the viewers?

Story:
Super Inggo at ang Super Tropa is loosely based on 2006's live-action series Super Inggo. I admit I never seen the live-action series because I had much time watching on GMA 7 or to school studies (but I'm not a Kapuso, neither a Kapamilya) but it doesn't matter anyway. The show features a young 10-year old boy named Budong (voiced and acted by Makisig Morales) who lives with his adopted mother named Pacita in a poor yet happy home. Budong dreams that he wanted to become a superhero, until he realize that he already has superpowers and becomes Super Inggo. As he grew up in the streets, he has also a best friend and sidekick named Jomar (voiced and acted by Jairus Aquino). Together, they run in adventures, meet other allies, discover evil plans from the Prince of Darkness and his company, and the truth about themselves. But would you believe that Super Inggo at ang Super Tropa adds new characters that isn't present in the live-action series?

Music:
Well, the show's music used it's opening theme from the live-action series itself which sung by Rocksteddy. But then again, it wasn't bad although I was thinking that the staff cheapened it's music for a bit.

Animation:
Animation in the Philippines rise in a smooth phase because of the improvement of computer technology and animation program tools. Many talented animators in the Philippines have worked in other countries and some of them are present for the collaborated project. Super Inggo at ang Super Tropa used 2D flash animation like what Studio 23's Barkada Trip did. Somehow, the animation style is based on the characters from the original series (in fact, the Super Inggo in the animated series made well-done from the live-action) plus the Pinoy anime-style. What's Pinoy anime? Pinoy anime is a term where the animation in the Philippines is mixed with Japanese animation techniques (e.g. puppy dog eyes and wacky expressions). Not only in the Philippines got that style but also in other countries like Korea, China and even United States in a similar way. The show made Pinoy elements friendly for young and adult viewers for enjoyment. And hey, there's even few cameo appearances from ABS-CBN like Angel Locsin, Vhong Navarro, Sam Milby, and even host in Matanglawin Kuya Kim as caricatures. Now how's that?

Overall:
Super Inggo at Ang Super Tropa will be one of the important contributions in Philippine animation. As of now, the staff and ABS-CBN are planning to air the series in two seasons and every season has 13-episodes each. If the show was well-received by many viewers there's a possibility will produce another few episodes.The animation is very fine and it's really good to watch for every Pinoy kids and kids-at-heart. You can watch Super Inggo at Ang Super Tropa every Sundays 10:30 A.M in ABS-CBN.

The Nutshack

I'm used to watch few episodes of cartoons which have physical and mature humor like The Simpsons and Family Guy, but what about this one? If you didn't know, The Nutshack is right in front of you. The show is much different because it contains some Filipino themes. Back in 2007, Monster MYX (aka MYX channel from United States) had decided to make an animated series made by Filipinos and made stories that has stuff influenced from their beloved country. Then at the same year, the pilot episode was sucessfully aired on MYX and for those people who wanted to see the show, in Youtube.

It's really amazing to see much of it's characters that are Filipino and of course life being from urban U.S. The show tells about two cousin teenagers who met in United States and share their similar wackiest scrapes in a city of San Francisco - the Tenderloin. Jack, a fat yet humble boy was raised in Manila, while Jack the tough punk raised in the streets in San Francisco. When the two cousins met together, they meet other characters and make craziest doings as the Nutshacks.

The flash animation of the Nutshack series really would feel a cool to watch especially when you hear the dubbings by Filipinos. One of the voice actors I recognized was Rex Navarette, who made the voice of Tito Dick ( Jack and Phil's cool uncle from San Francisco). I seen kuya Rex on his TV performances like MTV's Rex in the City and he's really a good comedian. The storyline seems to be fine but there are some themes that are purely mature. The most memorable storyline they got was the skit cameo appearance of some popular stars in the Philippines like Willie Revillame and Manny Pacquiao. The show also got box-sets of DVD's which are uncut and uncnesored in 2008 and featured in a ComicCon in US as promotion. But since the Nutshack was aired in United States, there is no chance for Filipinos to watch them locally even getting a MYX Philippines cable. I think it's because of MTRCB that some people talking about. Like any other shows in Adult Swim, Nutshack airs weekly at 10:00 PM and only adults can watch. If you're in the Philippines and want to watch the show like I did, there are few episodes (including "behind the scenes") were uploaded to Youtube. Just search the words "the nutshack" and you'll get them. Just make sure you're not below 16 to watch The Nutshack.

For more info, merchandises and updates visit The Nutshack's official website here.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: 1987 version

Here's another classic yet a still cool cartoon that began it's popularity. I assume the title is called "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" but before the 2003 version of it, there's the 80's version. I'll try to take notes on this one.

Before the height of popularity, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or TMNT for short began as comic series in 1984. Originally created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. The content of the comics were black and white strips. The four turtle characters wearing masks with different weapons each and act as cold-blooded reptiles with incredible martial art skills. Some characters and storyline were parodied and referenced from Marvel Comic's titles like Cerebus, Ronin, and Daredevil. Because there are no publishing companies to offer Eastman and Laird's work, both creators build their own studio known as Mirage Studios and published their first issue entitled Eastman and Laird's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

In the mainstream in the first issue, merchandising jumped into mainstream. In 1986, TMNT's merchandise began as action figures and expand to the market. Then in 1987, the first TMNT cartoon was born.

Clockwise: Raphael, Michelangelo, Leonardo and Donatello.

The first TMNT cartoon series began in 5-part miniseries and thus becoming a regular Saturday morning cartoon. The four mutated ninja turtles played as pizza-obsessed heroes with their different personality. They're also first appeared with their color-coded masks each plus their belts. The four turtles are guided with their mutated rat and martial arts sensei named Splinter. The turtles task is to save the city from enemies and alien invaders. Their toughest nemesis is named "The Shredder" or simply called Shredder.

The show doesn't contain darker tone from the original comics because the show aims to be suitable for children. The plot began when Splinter, before being a rat was a human named Hamato Yoshi. He was banished by Foot Clan in Japan lead of Oroku Saki and forced to live in sewers in New York City. Then one day, Yoshi found four turtles which they were accidentally drop by a young boy. Yoshi returned one day that the turtles were covered with green ooze known as mutagen and thus the turtles began to form into humanoids. While Hamato Yoshi, become a humanoid rat because of exposure to sewer rats and named himself Splinter. In some versions, Splinter raised the four turtles and treat them as his children. Splinter named the four turtles after his favorite Renaissance artists - Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello and taught them the art of ninjitsu. The four ninja turtles were born to protect the city against the invaders and meanwhile Oroku Saki left Japan to find Yoshi and become Shredder.

There are many characters from the comics appeared in the cartoons like the Foot Soldiers, April O' Neil and Casey Jones. There are also characters who were featured in cartoons only. While the story was heavily diverged from the original concept of comics. At first, the animated series wasn't considered canon in the Mirage Studios universe. Later on, because the cartoon showed it's wide-spread incarnation and helped increase the merchandise and phenomenal status it turned out into a pop-culture even today. Many people considered the cartoon as a canon and become the part of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles universe. Merchandises like soundtracks, cereals, skateboards, video games, Archie comics, magazines and pizza coupons are spawned successfully. Even a concert tour were held. There are catchphrases such as "Turtle power!" and "Cowabunga!" are used by many people especially fans.

What can I say about TMNT 1987 version? Well, aside from kid-friendly environment I pretty considered them as one of the greatest classic cartoons I watched aside from Transformers. When it comes to all TMNT cartoons and anime (yes, there were two anime versions of it) the 80's rocked the spot which means the first TMNT. With lots of casts and twisted storyline, I guess that TMNT helped explain their original counterparts and branched to the other TMNT successors. What might discourage me is that in later seasons around 1994, the environment became darker which kinda scary and removed numerous characters. Deep down, I don't mind about what doesn't seem right and besides 1987's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is really great and pretty nostalgic.

Currently, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles airs on Studio 23 every 8:00-8:30 AM Saturdays. Before that schedule, ABS-CBN aired that also together with the new season around mid-90's along with X-Men. In 2006 or 2007, the show moved to Studio 23 which aired every weekday nights before it moved to Saturday mornings. The opening theme here is catchy which seems that you'll almost sing the lyrics all day. Like any cartoons I've seen, I have no idea who composed or sang the TMNT opening song.