Super 4 (TV Series)

## Overview

**Super 4** is an animated television series that began in 2014, marking the 40th anniversary of the Playmobil toys that inspired it. It features a band of heroes who protect the inhabitants of the disparate worlds of Kingsland, The Enchanted Island, and the City of Technopolis, against calamities and enemies.

The series is co-produced by Method Animation and Morgen Studios, with the participation of France Télévisions and Cartoon Network Italy (Series 1), in association with Turner Broadcasting System Italy (Series 1) and SOFITVCINE 3 (Series 2), with animation provided by Vision Globale (Season 1), and DQ Entertainment (Season 2).

The series began airing in August 2014 in French; English dubbing was done later. The series has been broadcast by several channels worldwide, such as CITV in the United Kingdom and Minimax TV in Central Europe, and in the United States, the terrestrial KidsClick block carried in syndication by stations associated with television station owner Sinclair Broadcast Group.

## Synopsis

Super 4 is essentially a crossover story which combines disparate Playmobil toy worlds of fairies, pirates, medieval knights, scientists, robots, dinosaurs and aliens, by depicting them as inhabiting neighbouring islands in an amorphous ocean. The titular "Super 4" are Alex, a medieval prince, Ruby, a pirate, Twinkle, a fairy, and Gene, a scientist, who along with Alien, a cute bunny rabbit, are united in being exiles from their respective worlds who have banded together to have adventures, fight villains and save their worlds from calamities.

The series starts with the heroes already established as a team of adventurers who travel about in Gene's shape-shifting vehicle, the Chameleon, with their exploits related in an episodic story style. Later their back-stories are revealed via a series of 4-part origins stories. The first of these story arcs, Ruby Queen of the Seas, relates how Ruby ran away from the pirate world of Gunpowder Island after being told that as a girl she couldn't be a pirate. The second origins story arc, Gene Techno Explorer, shows how Gene escaped from the authoritarian city of Technopolis, populated by scientists and robots, to explore the outside world in defiance of claims that it was toxic and uninhabitable. Finally the Origins arc tells of how Alex ran away from Kingsland because he felt stifled by his schooling, and went on to meet the diminutive Alien, a refugee from a lost world, and later the fairy Twinkle who was fleeing the Enchanted Island of fairies, witches and trolls after accidentally turning the Fairy Queen into a frog.

## Episodes

See here for the complete list of episodes.

## Reception

Common Sense Media gave the series a generally positive write up, describing it as "an entertaining CGI series ... multiple settings and themed characters make for some fun crossover plots." They also felt it offered positive role models: "Friendship and a common goal unite the heroes despite their very different personalities ... the heroes stand up to villains at every opportunity, putting themselves in harm's way for others." However they also had some criticisms, notably that "some female characters (including one of the heroes) come off as fairly dim at times" and cautioned that "Parents need to know that Super 4 ... doubles as a lengthy commercial for Playmobil toys". Regarding the target demographic they said "parents ... will enjoy the show nearly as much (as their children), thanks to witty writing."

Writing for the website Geek Dad, Jamie Greene said "My kids (3 and 6) were riveted to the screener episode we were sent." However, like the Common Sense Media reviewer he had misgivings about the portrayal of female characters: "Alex the Knight is a brave knight. Twinkle the Fairy is a brainless dope. ... notice anything troubling in those gender portrayals?" Despite this, he finished his review by saying "I think it's safe to say that we'll be watching more."

In *The Globe and Mail*, Kate Taylor looked at the very concept of making TV series about toys. Initially she contrasted Playmobil's ethos with that of Lego in a favourable way, writing: "In the highly segregated world of children's toys, Playmobil gets better marks for battling sexual stereotypes as (its) male and female figures can play a variety of roles. With Lego, you get the predetermined sexual stereotypes of the movies." However, she went on to criticise Playmobil's decision to follow Lego's example in turning their toys into a TV series: "Will naming Playmobil figures and identifying them with on-screen characters in TV and film help children play better? No." ... "It's a sad day for those of us who ... still believe that children can invent their own stories."

## Playmobil sets

In 2015, the following Playmobil sets associated with the TV series were released.

* Sharkbeard Play Set - Includes Sharkbeard. Released on June 4, 2015.
* Skyjet Play Set - Includes a Technopolian technician. Released on June 4, 2015.
* Pirate Cave Play Set - Includes a pirate. Released on June 4, 2015.
* Black Colossus Play Set - Includes Black Colossus. Released on June 4, 2015.
* Cleano Robot Play Set - Includes Cleano and Sharkbeard. Released on August 4, 2015.
* Royal Guard Sir Ulf Play Set - Includes Royal Guard Sir Ulf. Released on August 4, 2015.
* Jousting Rypan Guardian of The Black Baron Play Set - Includes Jousting Rypan, Guardian of The Black Baron and a horse. Released on August 4, 2015.
* Lost Island with Alien Raptor Play Set - Includes an explorer, a raptor and an alien. Released on August 4, 2015.
* Doctor X Play Set - Includes Doctor X. Released on August 4, 2015.
* Musical Flower Tower with Twinkle Play Set - Includes Twinkle, a fairy and a Unicorn. Released on September 21, 2015.
* Take Along Black Baron's Castle Play Set - Includes 3 knights,2 horses, and The Black Baron. Released on September 21, 2015.
* Camouflage Pirate Fort Play Set - Includes Ruby and a pirate. Released on September 21, 2015.
* Chameleon Command Vehicle Play Set - Includes Gene. Released on September 21, 2015.
* Royal Tribune with Alex Play Set - Includes the King, Alex and a knight. Released on September 21, 2015.