Ape Escape (cartoon series)
Encyclopedia
Ape Escape is a series of cartoon shorts developed by Frederator Studios
, Hawaii Film Partners, Project 51 Productions and Showcase Entertainment for Nicktoons. It is based on the Ape Escape
video game series, with the characters and designs based on Ape Escape 2
in particular, and focuses around Specter's attempts to take over the world with his monkey army. It consists of 38 two minute shorts and airs on Nicktoons Sundays at 3PM EST.
and Andrew Dickman. The character designs are based on Ape Escape 2
, with Jimmy (aka Hikaru) as the protagonist. The animations are primarily animated using Adobe Flash
. The shorts were completed in 2008 and were sent to Nicktoons in 2009.
Frederator Studios
Frederator Studios is an independent American production company founded by Fred Seibert in 1997, with its first series launching in 1998. The studio focuses primarily on artists who write their own shorts, series, and movies...
, Hawaii Film Partners, Project 51 Productions and Showcase Entertainment for Nicktoons. It is based on the Ape Escape
Ape Escape
Ape Escape is a platform game published, produced and developed by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. It was originally released in 1999. It was re-released for the Sony Greatest Hits and Best for Family line-ups in 2000; for the Platinum Range in 2001; and for the PSone Books...
video game series, with the characters and designs based on Ape Escape 2
Ape Escape 2
Ape Escape 2 is a platform video game developed by Sony and published by Sony in Japan and Europe, while Ubisoft published it in North America for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was first released in Japan on July 18, 2001, and was later released in Europe on March 14, 2003, and in North...
in particular, and focuses around Specter's attempts to take over the world with his monkey army. It consists of 38 two minute shorts and airs on Nicktoons Sundays at 3PM EST.
Development
Frederator first announced that they have obtained the cartoon rights to Ape Escape on May 31, 2007. Various talents were brought into help including Doug TenNapelDoug TenNapel
Douglas Richard "Doug" TenNapel is an American musician, animator, Eisner Award-winning artist, author, essayist and Christian. He is best known for creating Earthworm Jim, a character that spawned a famous video game, cartoon series, and toy line.-Early life:TenNapel was born and raised in the...
and Andrew Dickman. The character designs are based on Ape Escape 2
Ape Escape 2
Ape Escape 2 is a platform video game developed by Sony and published by Sony in Japan and Europe, while Ubisoft published it in North America for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was first released in Japan on July 18, 2001, and was later released in Europe on March 14, 2003, and in North...
, with Jimmy (aka Hikaru) as the protagonist. The animations are primarily animated using Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash is a multimedia platform used to add animation, video, and interactivity to web pages. Flash is frequently used for advertisements, games and flash animations for broadcast...
. The shorts were completed in 2008 and were sent to Nicktoons in 2009.
Characters
- Spike (also known as "Kakeru" in Japan) - Annie MumoloAnnie MumoloAnnie Mumolo is an American actress and screenwriter. She was born in Irvine, California.-Acting:She is a member of the improvisational comedy troupe The Groundlings. She appeared in the 2005 feature film Bewitched, and television shows such as The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman, Out of...
- Jimmy (named "Hikaru" in the UK games and Japan) - Annie MumoloAnnie MumoloAnnie Mumolo is an American actress and screenwriter. She was born in Irvine, California.-Acting:She is a member of the improvisational comedy troupe The Groundlings. She appeared in the 2005 feature film Bewitched, and television shows such as The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman, Out of...
- Specter - Greg EllisGreg Ellis (actor)Greg Ellis is an English actor known for his TV, movie, and video game voice over work. He has appeared in films such as the Pirates of the Caribbean series, the 2009 Star Trek film , Titanic, Beowulf, To End All Wars, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith...
- Professor - Eric BauzaEric BauzaEric Adrian Bauza is a Canadian-American voice actor and artist. His notable roles include Stimpy of Ren and Stimpy Adult Party Cartoon and Slip & Slide D'Peel of Coconut Fred's Fruit Salad Island. He also voices Rodolfo/White Pantera for El Tigre on Nickelodeon, Storm Shadow, Destro, and Tunnel...
- Natalie (named "Natsumi" in the UK games and Japan) - Annie MumoloAnnie MumoloAnnie Mumolo is an American actress and screenwriter. She was born in Irvine, California.-Acting:She is a member of the improvisational comedy troupe The Groundlings. She appeared in the 2005 feature film Bewitched, and television shows such as The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman, Out of...
- Pipo Monkeys - Eric BauzaEric BauzaEric Adrian Bauza is a Canadian-American voice actor and artist. His notable roles include Stimpy of Ren and Stimpy Adult Party Cartoon and Slip & Slide D'Peel of Coconut Fred's Fruit Salad Island. He also voices Rodolfo/White Pantera for El Tigre on Nickelodeon, Storm Shadow, Destro, and Tunnel...