SuperKitties explained

SuperKitties (also known as SuperKitties: Su-Purr Charged in season 2) is an animated television series created by Paula Rosenthal that premiered on Disney Jr. on January 11, 2023.^[1] Prior to its premiere, the series was renewed for a second season in January 2023.^[2] In February 2024, the series was renewed for a third season.^[3]

Critical reception for the series was positive overall.

Premise

In the fictional city of Kittydale, an indoor playground called the Purr'N'Play is where children play, sometimes with the place's resident cats Ginny, Sparks, Buddy, and Bitsy. When trouble occurs in the city, they are called into action by whomever contacts them. The cats enter their underground headquarters called the SuperKitty Cavern and transform into the SuperKitties, who possess special abilities and access to tools like their Yarn Blasters they can use to help the citizens. They use these tools to solve problems while showing kindness to everyone, including the villains causing the problems.

Season two has the SuperKitties sporting their new Su-Purr Charged suits that grant them new powers.

Characters

SuperKitties

• Ginny (voiced by Emma Berman^[4]) is an orange American Shorthair who is the leader of the SuperKitties. She has claws that allow her to climb and poke objects. In her Su-Purr Charged form, Ginny can be more agile with her claws.
• Sparks (voiced by Cruz Flateau^[5]) is a yellow Bengal cat who is the smartest of the SuperKitties and Buddy's older brother. He uses his high-tech devices from his SuperKitty Kit to help with cases and connect with the citizens. Sparks' SuperKitty Kit can produce any gadget, be an additional way for any animals to contact them when they are not in the SuperKitty Cavern, and turn into any mode of transportation including the SuperKitty Copter. In his Su-Purr Charged form, Sparks can have the SuperKitty Kit assume Turbo Mode with his boots taking on another form.
• Buddy (voiced by JeCobi Swain^[6]) is a Calico British Shorthair cat who is the largest of the SuperKitties and Sparks's younger brother. He possesses super-strength and has the ability to perform a Furball Blitz which turns him into a ball of fur and allows him to roll into objects. In his Su-Purr Charged form, Buddy can perform the Furball Blitz Bounce.
• Bitsy (voiced by Pyper Braun^[7]) is a white Munchkin cat who is the smallest of the SuperKitties. She can harness super-speed with her "Bitsy Boots". As the newest and smallest member of the team, Bitsy records her lessons from the case in vlogs on her tablet. She has a mouse doll named Mr. Greenie. In her Su-Purr Charged form, Bitsy's boots can enable her to move faster, saying the words, "Bitsy Boots, Blaster Faster."

Villains

• Cat Burglar (voiced by Justin Guarini) is a gray tabby cat who loves to swipe items. He is also a pianist as seen in "Piano Problem".
  • Granny Catarina (voiced by Kari Wahlgren) is a gray tabby cat and Cat Burglar's grandmother who shares his passion for swiping things.
  • Sassy (voiced by Anika Noni Rose) is a gray tabby cat and Cat Burglar's country cousin who is also a burglar.
• Lab Rat (voiced by Ruth Pferdehirt) is a rat scientist who can create high-tech devices to serve her own purposes that often involve obtaining cheese.
  • Otto (singing voice provided by Jeremy Jordan) is a mute purple octopus. He is Lab Rat's assistant and best friend.
• Mr. Puppypaws (voiced by James Monroe Iglehart) is a small brown and white Papillon dog with a Danish accent who is often seen riding on a motorized pet stroller. He owns a rubber duck named Quacksley that he often speaks to. Mr. Puppypaws is playful and loves a lot of things that dogs usually like where he will do anything to get them.
• Zsa Zsa (voiced by Isabella Crovetti) is a vain sulphur-crested cockatoo who loves to sing, dance, and enjoy expensive luxuries. She has a soft spot for cute animals.
  • Zsa Zsa's Squad (vocal effects provided by Dee Bradley Baker) are the budgie henchmen of Zsa Zsa.

Recurring

• Amara (voiced by Carly Hughes in season one,^[8] Kamali Minter in season two) is the owner of the Purr'N'Play. She later creates the mobile Purr 'n Go to bring playing with kittens to all of Kittydale.
• Sam and Eddie (both voiced by Dee Bradley Baker) are a white-headed pigeon and a rock pigeon who are among the SuperKitties' callers.
• Kittens Who Lost Mittens (voiced by Emma Berman (Chibi), Pyper Braun, and Cruz Flateau) are three Siamese kittens who are among the SuperKitties' callers. The only one that has been named on-screen is the dark brown and white one named Chibi. The other two sometimes come to the Purr'N'Play.
• Boomer (voiced by Carly Hughes) is a French bulldog who is among the SuperKitties' callers.
• Captain FluffNStuff (voiced by Jan Johns) is a fluffy Briard dog who is among the SuperKitties' callers.
• Magda (voiced by Kari Wahlgren) is a hound and guard dog of the Kittydale Museum.
  • Rockland (voiced by Maxwell Simkins) is Magda's nephew who has a skill for sniffing out rocks and gemstones.
• Peanut (voiced by Gracen Newton) is a dalmatian puppy owned by a little girl named Nadia who is among the SuperKitties' callers.
• Pickles (voiced by Simon Webster) is a small calico kitten who adores the SuperKitties and hopes to be like them.
• The Singing Squirrels (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker, Justin Guarini, and James Monroe Iglehart) are a trio of Eastern gray squirrels who make up a singing group. Whenever they're in trouble, they sing out their distress calls unless bystanders do not take them seriously.
• Chef Marci (voiced by Jennie Kwan) is a food truck cook who makes pet food and sells it out of her food truck.
  • Biscuit (voiced by Jennie Kwan) is Chef Marci's pet cat.
• Miss Poochytail (voiced by Kari Wahlgren) is a poodle who is friends with Mr. Puppypaws.
• Wiggles (voiced by Eric Bauza) is a robotic pig built by Sparks.

Episodes

Each episode would alternatively be titled in their beginnings with "The SuperKitties And The..." in the series itself. However, this list will go by the titles shown on online sources to avoid repetition.

Series overview

Shorts (2024)

Reception

Critical response

Ashley Moulton of Common Sense Media gave the series a grade of four out of five stars, complimented the depiction of educational value, and praised the presence of positive messages and role models, citing empathy and kindness, writing, "Purr-fectly cute superheroes model social-emotional skills."^[9] Marisa Lascala of Good Housekeeping ranked SuperKitties 7th in their "13 Best Toddler TV Shows" list, saying, "Disney Junior's SuperKitties is perfect for any animal lover or superhero fan."^[10]

Accolades

SuperKitties was nominated for Outstanding Main Title and Graphics and Outstanding Voice Performance in a Preschool Animated Program for James Monroe Iglehart at the 2nd Children's and Family Emmy Awards^[11] and it won for Preschool Programming – Best New Series which tied with at the 2024 Kidscreen Awards.^{[12] [13]}

In other media

Live show

In 2023, the characters from SuperKitties appeared in the touring live-action arena show Disney Junior Live On Tour: Costume Palooza.^{[14] [15] [16]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Milligan. Mercedes. Trailer: 'SuperKitties' Ready to Pounce on Disney Junior. November 22, 2022. January 9, 2023. December 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221203183155/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2022/11/trailer-superkitties-ready-to-pounce-on-disney-junior/. live.
2. Disney Branded Television Orders Season Two Pickups for New Disney Junior Series "Firebuds," "Superkitties" and "Pupstruction". Disney Branded Television. The Futon Critic. January 13, 2023. January 16, 2023.
3. Disney Branded Television Announces Season Three Pickups for Hit Disney Junior Series "Superkitties" and "Pupstruction". Disney Branded Television. The Futon Critic. February 10, 2024. February 10, 2024.
4. Web site: Voice Of Ginny – Behind The Voice Actors. Behind The Voice Actors. . Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources.
5. Web site: Voice Of Sparks – Behind The Voice Actors. Behind The Voice Actors. . Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources.
6. Web site: Voice Of Buddy – Behind The Voice Actors. Behind The Voice Actors. . Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources.
7. Web site: Voice Of Bitsy – Behind The Voice Actors. Behind The Voice Actors. . Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources.
8. Web site: Voice Of Amara – Behind The Voice Actors. Behind The Voice Actors. . Check marks indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources.
9. Web site: Moulton. Ashley. SuperKitties TV Review Common Sense Media. August 14, 2023. Common Sense Media. en.
10. Web site: Lascala. Marisa. March 27, 2023. The 13 Best Toddler TV Shows. August 14, 2023. Good Housekeeping. en-US.
11. Web site: Children's & Family Emmy Awards: Disney Dominates Nominations. February 10, 2024. The Hollywood Reporter. Tyler. Coates. November 2, 2023.
12. Web site: Disney dominates the 2024 Kidscreen Awards nominations . December 20, 2023 . February 4, 2024 . Dickson . Jeremy . KidScreen.
13. Web site: BREAKING NEWS: Announcing 2024's Kidscreen Awards winners . February 5, 2024 . February 20, 2024 . Dickson . Jeremy . KidScreen.
14. Web site: May 10, 2023. Spidey and His Amazing Friends Return For 'Disney Junior Live On Tour: Costume Palooza'. September 6, 2023. Marvel.com.
15. Web site: Davenport. Charr. June 13, 2023. Disney Junior Live On Tour: Costume Palooza to come to Bakersfield. September 6, 2023. KERO-TV. en.
16. Web site: Kennedy. Tricia. May 9, 2023. "Disney Junior Live On Tour: Costume Palooza" Will Hit the Road Again This Year Starting September 1st. September 6, 2023. LaughingPlace.com. en-US.