'Bugs Bunny Builders' - Preschool Series Done Right

 


Cartoon Network has a preschool block called Cartoonito that's been on the air here in America for almost a year now. I was skeptical of this block since we all knew how great Tickle U was. But WB is also making original content for the block, and among the first of these are Bugs Bunny Builders, which is the first preschool-aimed project about Looney Tunes since Baby Looney Tunes.

Baby Looney Tunes, while not a terrible show, does lay on the sweet layer too thick and doesn't really feel like a Looney Tunes show at all. Bugs Bunny Builders, on the other hand, is an example of a good children's series.

There's no violence, because this show is aimed at a very young audience and we don't want to scare them, but there is still a decent amount of wacky antics and slapstick. Thus, the series is kid-friendly while also being tolerable for parents and older viewers. The animation on this show is bouncy and expressive, just as a Looney Tunes show should be, while the theme song is a catchy riff on "Merrily We Roll Along", one of the theme songs to the LT franchise. 

There are also plenty of references for older fans to spot. An episode features George P. Dog, while another episode is about a merry-go-round breaking down. Wile E. Coyote appears occasionally and speaks. This may seem odd, since he usually doesn't talk, but Wile E. did talk in the old cartoons; but only when around Bugs Bunny. And since Bugs Bunny is the leader of the Looney Builders, this makes sense.

The Looney Builders are all enjoyable and each episode plays to their individual strengths and weaknesses, whether it be Porky's nervousness or Daffy's self-centeredness. The side characters are also in-character. Taz in particular is used well. He is still energetic and destructive, but the Looney Builders use their smarts to accommodate to his destructive tendencies, such as making a house that he can smash, but not completely destroy.

Bugs Bunny Builders is a quality show for young children and classic LT fans alike. Everyone can have fun and may learn a thing or two along the way.

Animation: 2/2

Writing: 2/2

Characters: 2/2

Voice Acting: 2/2

Music: 2/2


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