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The Powerpuff Girls to return in series reboot


With popular comic book vigilantes like Batman and 80s giants such as the “Transformers” getting reboot after reboot, it was only a matter of time before a certain trio of pint-sized superheroines returned to grace the small screen once more.
 
Now, everyone’s favorite champions of sugar, spice, and everything nice will be officially coming back to the network that made them such a household name. That’s right – Cartoon Network has just announced an all-new “Powerpuff Girls” series, and it will be airing this 2016.
 
 
 
Cartoon Network’s chief content officer Rob Sorcher made the announcement at the 2014 Licensing Expo in Las Vegas on June 16, Monday. 
 
“The original ‘Powerpuff Girls’ was a franchise phenomenon for Cartoon Network, paving the way for a new generation of innovative storytellers and enthusiastic fans worldwide,” said Sorcher. “We are calling these girls back into action based upon an overwhelming demand for sugar, spice and Chemical X.”
 
“As the original ambassador of ‘girl power,’ ‘The Powerpuff Girls’ brand continues to resonate with people of all ages and there is tremendous excitement around introducing Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup to a new generation,” stated Pete Yoder, vice president of consumer products for North America, Cartoon Network Enterprises. “With proven success and great content plans in place, there’s so much potential that we’re looking forward to explore with our licensing partners in the coming weeks.”
 
An enduring, beloved series
 
“The Powerpuff Girls” was created by Craig McCracken. It stars Blossom, Buttercup, and Bubbles, who came into being after the scientist Professor Utoniom accidentally poured an extra ingredient, Chemical X, into a soupy concoction originally meant to create “the perfect little girl”. With their super powers, the “Powerpuff Girls” became the defenders of Townsville, battling a constant stream of evildoers from villainous genius monkey, Mojo Jojo, to the uncomfortably weird, lobster-handed devil creature, Him.
 
 
“The Powerpuff Girls” remains one of Cartoon Network’s most successful shows, earning over $2.5 billion in retail sales. It ran for six seasons – with a total of 78 episodes – before it was canceled in 2005. Aside from a number of animation honors and nominations, it has garnered several awards, including two Emmy Awards.
 
The girls were such a big hit worldwide that Toei Animation (famous for Dragon Ball and One Piece) launched their own version of the show for Japanese audiences, entitled “Demashita! Pawapafu Garuzu Zetto” or “Powerpuff Girls Z”. The show aired from 2006 to 2007, and concluded with 58 episodes. A manga of the same name was also produced between those years.
 
 
 
 
But the cute, colorful heroines weren’t limited to television alone. “The Powerpuff Girls Movie” made it to cinemas in 2002, and though it received mixed reviews from critics, it was generally a hit with the fandom.
 
And of course, fan demand prompted the creation of a CGI film long after series cancellation. “The Powerpuff Girls: Dance Pantsed” was aired on Cartoon Network this January, featuring the girls with a cool, revamped look; Mojo Jojo’s sinister comeback; and an odd but welcome cameo by former Beatle Ringo Starr.
 
But their enduring popularity has made them no stranger to controversy, as well. Earlier this year, IDW Publishing was forced to withdraw a special “Powerpuff Girls” comic after its cover art, which depicted the girls all grown up and dressed in skin-hugging latex, drew complaints from some fans and retailers.
 
“The Powerpuff Girls” 2016 reboot is still being kept under wraps. It is unclear if the new show will go the CGI-route like the recently-released “The Powerpuff Girls: Dance Pantsed”, but expect more news in the upcoming months. — With Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News