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{{short description|American television series (2004–2006)}}
{{Refimprove|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| show_name = Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi
| image = Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi.svg
| image_size = 220
| image = Puffyamiyumishowlogo.png
| genre = [[Comedy]]<br />[[Fantasy]]
| genre = {{unbulleted list|[[Comedy]]|[[Animated]]}}
| creator = [[Sam Register]]
| creator = [[Sam Register]]
| developer = Shakeh Hagnazarian
| director = {{unbulleted list|Darin McGowan|Howie Perry|Scott O'Brien|[[Darrell Van Citters]] <small>(supervising director)</small>}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
| voices = {{unbulleted list|[[Grey DeLisle]]|[[Janice Kawaye]]|[[Keone Young]]|Nathan Carlson|[[Corey Burton]]|[[Rob Paulsen]]|[[Sandy Fox]]|[[Katie Leigh]]|[[Will Ryan]]|[[Tara Strong]]}}
* Ami Onuki
| theme_music_composer = [[Ami Onuki]] & [[Yumi Yoshimura]]<br />[[Andy Sturmer]]
* Yumi Yoshimura
| opentheme = "[[Hi Hi (Puffy AmiYumi)|Hi Hi]]"<br /><small>performed by [[Puffy AmiYumi]]</small>
| endtheme = "Hi Hi" <small>(Instrumental)</small>
| composer = {{unbulleted list|Puffy AmiYumi <small>(original songs)</small>|[[Andy Sturmer]]}}
| country = United States<br />Japan<!--Please do not add Japan without providing reliably sourced evidence that it was a Japanese-American co-production-->
| language = English<br />Japanese<!--Parameter is for original language of production, not dubs.-->
| network = [[Cartoon Network]]
| executive_producer = Sam Register
| producer = Ashley Postlewaite
| editor = {{unbulleted list|Thom Whitehead <br /><small>(Season 1)</small>|Joe Campana|Nate Pacheco <small>(Season 1–2)</small>|Michael D'Ambrosio|Rick Greenwald <br /><small>(Season 2–3)</small>}}
| company = [[Renegade Animation]]<br />[[Cartoon Network Studios]]
| distributor =
| num_seasons = 3
| num_episodes = 39 (whole)<br />117 (segments)<br />34 (aired)<br />5 (unaired)
| list_episodes = List of Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi episodes
| runtime = 22 minutes
| first_aired = {{Start date|2004|11|19}}
| last_aired = {{End date|present}}
| website =
}}
}}
| voices = {{Plainlist|
* [[Janice Kawaye]]
* [[Grey DeLisle]]
* [[Keone Young]]
}}
| theme_music_composer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Puffy AmiYumi]]
* [[Andy Sturmer]]
}}
| opentheme = "[[Puffy AmiYumi|Hi Hi]]"{{efn|Performed by [[Puffy AmiYumi]]}}
| endtheme = "Hi Hi" (Instrumental)
| composer = {{Plainlist|
* Puffy AmiYumi{{efn|Original songs}}
* [[Andy Sturmer]]
}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| network = [[Cartoon Network]]
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
* Sam Register
* [[Brian A. Miller]]{{efn|For Cartoon Network Studios}}
}}
| producer = [[Ashley Postlewaite]]
| editor = {{Plainlist|
* Thom Whitehead{{efn|Season 1}}
* Joe Campana
* Nate Pacheco{{efn|Seasons 1–2}}
* Michael D'Ambrosio
* Rick Greenwald{{efn|Seasons 2–3}}
}}
| company = {{Plainlist|
* [[Renegade Animation]]
* [[Cartoon Network Studios]]{{efn|Credited as Cartoon Network}}
}}
| num_seasons = 3
| num_episodes = 39{{efn|117 segments and 1 pilot}}
| list_episodes = List of Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi episodes
| runtime = 22 minutes
| first_aired = {{Start date|2004|11|19}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2006|06|27}}
}}
'''''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi''''' is an American [[animated series]] created by [[Sam Register]]<ref name="Perlmutter">{{Cite book |last=Perlmutter |first=David |title=The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows |date=2018 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1538103739 |pages=284–285}}</ref> and produced by [[Renegade Animation]] and [[Cartoon Network Studios]], which aired on [[Cartoon Network]] from 2004 to 2006. The series stars fictionalized and animated versions of the [[Music of Japan|Japanese]] [[pop rock]] group [[Puffy AmiYumi]]. The series premiered on November 19, 2004, and ended on June 27, 2006, with a total of three seasons and 39 episodes.


During its short-lived run, the series was nominated for an [[Annie Award]] three times. Merchandise based on the series has also been produced, such as video games, home media releases, toys, and clothing.
{{nihongo|'''''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi'''''|ハイ！ハイ！パフィー・アミユミ|Hai! Hai! Pafī AmiYumi}} is an [[Television in the United States|American]]-[[Television in Japan|Japanese]] animated fantasy-comedy television series created by [[Sam Register]] for [[Cartoon Network]]. It premiered on November 19, 2004 and ended its run on June 27, 2006, with a total of three seasons and thirty-four episodes, leaving five episodes unaired. The series was produced by [[Renegade Animation]] in [[Irving, Texas]] and [[Cartoon Network Studios]] in [[Burbank, California]].

The show focuses on an animated/fictionalized setting of the real-life J-pop group [[Puffy AmiYumi]].


==Overview==
== Premise ==
{{Main|List of Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi characters}}
[[File:Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi Characters.png|220px|thumb|left|The main cast of the show. From left to right: Ami, Kaz, Yumi, Jang-Keng and Tekirai.]]
[[File:Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi Characters.png|220px|thumb|left|The main cast of the show. From left to right: Ami, Kaz, Yumi, Jang-Keng and Tekirai.]]
''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi'' follows the adventures of two [[pop stars]] and best friends: [[Ami Onuki]] ([[Janice Kawaye]]), a peppy, optimistic, and cute schoolgirl; and [[Yumi Yoshimura]] ([[Grey DeLisle]]), a cynical, sarcastic, rough, and tough [[punk rock]]er. Both are based off the real Japanese [[Pop music|pop]] duo [[Puffy AmiYumi]], but with different appearances and exaggerated personalities. They travel around the world on their customized tour bus, along with their well-intentioned yet greedy manager, [[Kazuo Harada|Kaz Harada]] ([[Keone Young]]). From rockin' out at a concert to hanging out in their hometown of [[Tokyo, Japan|Tokyo]], the duo take the world by storm with their musical talent, trend-setting style, and humor, dishing out lessons in J-pop justice and establishing the international language of "cool" along the way.
''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi'' follows the adventures of two best friends: the peppy, optimistic, cheerful, [[girly girl]] Ami Onuki (voiced by [[Janice Kawaye]]); and the cynical, sarcastic, grumpy [[tomboy]] Yumi Yoshimura (voiced by [[Grey DeLisle]]). Both are based on the Japanese [[Pop music|pop]] duo [[Puffy AmiYumi]], but with different appearances and exaggerated personalities. They travel around the world on their customized tour bus along with their well-intentioned yet greedy manager Kaz Harada (voiced by [[Keone Young]]). From rocking out at a concert to hanging out in their hometown of [[Tokyo]], the duo take the world by storm with their musical talent, trend-setting style, and humor, dishing out lessons in J-pop justice and establishing the international language of "cool" along the way.


Secondary characters include: Jang-Keng (Grey DeLisle) and Tekirai (Janice Kawaye), the duo's pet cats who enjoy tormenting Kaz; Harmony ([[Sandy Fox]]), a six-year-old girl who is the self-proclaimed "Number One Fan" of Puffy AmiYumi and (later) Kaz and constantly stalks them; Eldwin Blair (Nathan Carlson), a sinister land developer who tries to tear down beloved places for his own selfish needs; King Chad ([[Katie Leigh]]), a selfish "bad boy" who is a master of the card game ''Stu-Pi-Doh!'' (a parody of ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh!]]''); the Talent Suckers (Nathan Carlson; [[Corey Burton]]), a [[vampire]] rock trio from [[Transylvania]]; and Atchan ([[Rob Paulsen]]), a caricature of Vo Atsushi (lead singer of the [[Pop music|pop]] band New Rote'ka) who speaks in third-person and thinks he is a superhero.
Secondary characters include: Jang-Keng (voiced by Grey DeLisle) and Tekirai (voiced by Janice Kawaye), the duo's pet cats who enjoy tormenting Kaz; Harmony (voiced by [[Sandy Fox]]), a six-year-old girl who is the self-proclaimed "Number One Fan" of Puffy AmiYumi and (later) Kaz and constantly stalks them; Eldwin Blair (voiced by Nathan Carlson), a sinister land developer who tries to tear down beloved places for his own selfish needs; the evil Talent Suckers (voiced by Nathan Carlson and [[Corey Burton]]), a [[vampire]] rock trio from [[Transylvania]]; and Atchan (voiced by [[Rob Paulsen]]), a caricature of Atsushi (lead singer of the [[Punk music|punk]] band New Rote'ka) who speaks in third-person and thinks he is a superhero.


The animated Puffy AmiYumi travel all over the world in their tour bus. While appearing the same size as a regular bus on the outside, it appears to have enough internal space to house the girls' rooms (including full-sized beds), Kaz's room, their equipment, televisions, and computers, among other things. In the episode "Domo", Kaz refers to an upstairs area. It also seems capable of running on autopilot, as Kaz, Ami, and Yumi are sometimes sitting in the rear cabin of the bus while traveling. Occasionally, the rear door has been opened to receive packages delivered by a boy on a scooter.
The animated Puffy AmiYumi travel all over the world in their tour bus. While appearing the same size as a regular bus on the outside, it appears to have enough internal space to house the girls' rooms (including full-sized beds), Kaz's room, their equipment, televisions, and computers, among other things. In the episode "Domo", Kaz refers to an upstairs area. It also seems capable of running on autopilot, as Kaz, Ami, and Yumi are sometimes sitting in the rear cabin of the bus while traveling. Occasionally, the rear door has been opened to receive packages delivered by a boy on a scooter.


During the first season, the show included [[live-action]] clips of the real Ami and Yumi making childish commentary (in English and non-subtitled Japanese) at the beginning and end of each episode. They only performed short clips at the beginning of the show during the second and third seasons. Starting with the second season, the duo was sometimes shown holding title cards introducing the cartoon segments. At the end of the episode "Sitcomi Yumi", Ami and Yumi watched television and saw the animated Kaz with the real Ami and Yumi. Finally, that live-action clips are produced by Freegate, Ltd..
During the first season, the show included [[live-action]] clips of the real Ami and Yumi making childish commentary (in English and non-subtitled Japanese) at the beginning and end of each episode. They only performed short clips at the beginning of the show during the second and third seasons. Starting with the second season, the duo was sometimes shown holding title cards introducing the cartoon segments. At the end of the episode "Sitcomi Yumi", Ami and Yumi watched television and saw the animated Kaz with the real Ami and Yumi. All of the live-action clips were produced by Freegate, Ltd.


The real PUFFY performs the cartoon's theme song (which is also in Japanese, German, Spanish, and Portuguese in the respective regions), and many episodes feature one or more of the duo's songs playing in the background, along with music by their Puerto Rican muse [[Andy Sturmer]].
The real PUFFY performs the cartoon's theme song (which is also in Japanese, German, Spanish, and Portuguese in the respective countries), and many episodes feature one or more of the duo's songs playing in the background, along with music by [[Andy Sturmer]].


Though the characters speak English, the script intersperses their [[vernacular]] with [[Japanese language|Japanese]] speech, especially when the characters react to events that they find to be surprising. Calling out "Tasukete!" instead of "Help!" is commonly used.
Though the characters speak English, the script intersperses their [[vernacular]] with [[Japanese language|Japanese]] speech, especially when the characters react to events that they find to be surprising. Calling out "Tasukete!" instead of "Help!" is commonly used.


==Production==
== Voice cast ==
* [[Janice Kawaye]] as Ami Onuki, Tekirai, News Reporter, Additional Voices
* [[Grey DeLisle]] as Yumi Yoshimura, Jang Keng, Fan Club President, Additional Voices
* [[Keone Young]] as Kaz Harada, Domo, Security Guard, Additional Voices
* [[Rob Paulsen]] as Atchan, Dr. Mysto, Clyde Easy Glide, Mr. Darrell, Additional Voices
* [[Corey Burton]] as Nicolai, Scar Tissue, Road Kill Flash Backman, Additional Voices
* [[Sandy Fox]] as Harmony
* Nathan Carlson as Vlad, Eldwin Blair, Pizza Guy, Emecee, Additional Voices
* [[Katie Leigh]] as King Chad
* [[Kimberly Brooks]] as Jill
* [[Lara Jill Miller]] as Julie
* [[Will Ryan]] as Farmer Zeke, Alien Banana #1, Wall, Rumaki, Old Camper 3, Wasabi, Sumo Wrestler, Muscle Bound Guy, Defensive End, Riptide's Coach


===Concept===
== Production ==
=== Development ===
According to Register, the target audience of the show is boys and girls from 6 to 11 years old.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=76&document=6|title=Interview with Sam Register: Page 6|accessdate=June 13, 2009}}</ref> However, it also has a following of teen and adult fans of the real-life [[Ami Onuki]] and [[Yumi Yoshimura]] who make up the Japanese [[Pop music|pop]] duo [[Puffy AmiYumi]]. Register, a fan of the band, wished to spread its fame to other parts of the world and thus created the cartoon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=76&document=4|title=Interview with Sam Register: Page 4|accessdate=June 13, 2009}}</ref>
[[File:HHPAY Girls Rock!.jpg|220px|thumb|right|A picture of Ami and Yumi, titled "Girls Rock!", is done by [[Lynne Naylor]], one of the show's character designers back in 2005.]]
According to Register, the target audience of the show is children from 6 to 11 years old.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview with Sam Register: Page 6 |url=http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=76&document=6 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615124038/http://animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=76&document=6 |archive-date=June 15, 2010 |access-date=June 13, 2009}}</ref> However, it also has a [[cult following]] of teen and adult fans of the real-life Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura who make up the Japanese [[Pop music|pop]] duo [[Puffy AmiYumi]]. Register, who was a fan of the band, wished to spread its fame to other parts of the world and thus created the series.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Interview with Sam Register: Page 4 |url=http://www.animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=76&document=4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615124004/http://animationinsider.net/article.php?articleID=76&document=4 |archive-date=June 15, 2010 |access-date=June 13, 2009}}</ref>


The series features the adventures of animated versions of the duo, who have been immensely popular in Japan since making their debut in 1996. The group now has its own U.S. albums, including a 2004 companion album to this program, and was known to viewers of Cartoon Network in the USA for performing the theme to the [[Teen Titans (TV series)|''Teen Titans'' animated series]]. During production of the series, DeLisle learned some Japanese from Kawaye and Young, both of whom speak the language fluently.
The series features the adventures of animated versions of the duo, who have been immensely popular in Japan since making their debut, and is the second television show to be based on the band after ''[[Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Puffy]]'', which aired in Japan from 1997 to 2002. The group now has its own U.S. albums, including a 2004 companion album to this program, and was known to viewers of Cartoon Network in the U.S. for performing the theme to the [[Teen Titans (TV series)|''Teen Titans'']] animated series. During production of the series, DeLisle learned some Japanese from Kawaye and Young, both of whom speak the language fluently.


The cartoon was the only one at the time produced entirely in the United States. It used a combination of [[Macromedia Flash]] and traditional [[cel animation]].<ref>See boards drawings on [http://puffycrew.blogspot.com Puffy Crew Blog].</ref> Each program was 30 minutes long (with commercials) and featured three seven-minute segments that borrow inspiration from [[Japanese animation]] (such as ''[[Pokémon (anime)|Pokémon]]'', the [[Sunbow Entertainment|Sunbow Productions]] animated series based on [[Hasbro]] properties, and ''[[ThunderCats (1985 TV series)|ThunderCats]]'').<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/archives/cool/05-03/puffy.html|title=Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi - What's Cool in Japan|publisher=Web Japan|date=March 2005|accessdate=June 13, 2009}}</ref>
The cartoon was one of the few cartoons at the time produced entirely in the United States, with a number of characters designed by famed Canadian artist [[Lynne Naylor]], who also designed characters for other Cartoon Network shows, including ''[[Samurai Jack]]'', ''[[Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends]]'', and ''[[The Powerpuff Girls]]'', which got the show nominated for the coveted Annie Award. The pilot used a combination of [[Adobe Flash|Macromedia Flash]] and traditional [[cel animation]].<ref>See boards drawings on [http://puffycrew.blogspot.com Puffy Crew Blog].</ref> Each program was 30 minutes long (with commercials) and featured three seven-minute segments. The visual style of the show is [[anime-influenced animation|anime-influenced]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 7, 2017 |title=Cartoon Network Turning Japanese with Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/cartoon-network-turning-japanese-with-hi-hi-puffy-amiyumi/ |access-date=November 19, 2004 |publisher=[[Animation Magazine]]}}</ref>


The show takes inspiration from various works animated in Japan, such as ''[[Pokémon (anime)|Pokémon]]'', ''[[Digimon]]'', the [[Sunbow Entertainment|Sunbow Productions]] animated series based on [[Hasbro]] properties, the [[Walt Disney Animation Japan]] animated production, the [[Marvel Productions]] animated series, the [[Studio Ghibli]] animated production, and the [[Rankin/Bass]] animated series.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 2005 |title=Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi - What's Cool in Japan |url=https://web-japan.org/kidsweb/archives/cool/05-03/puffy.html |access-date=June 13, 2009 |publisher=Web Japan}}</ref> Other inspirations included old [[MGM]] and [[Warner Bros.]] cartoons, as well as [[Hanna-Barbera]] and [[The Mirisch Company|Mirisch]]/[[United Artists|UA]] cartoons, [[UPA (animation studio)|UPA]] shorts, and the works of [[Jay Ward]].{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} Some of the show's crew members included various writers from [[Nickelodeon]]'s ''[[CatDog]]'', including [[Steven Banks]], Kit Boyce and Robert Lamoreaux.
The series was officially announced at Cartoon Network's upfront on February 26, 2004. It was originally planned to premiere in December 2004,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://animatedviews.com/2004/cartoon-network-unveils-new-shows/|title=Cartoon Network Unveils New Shows|accessdate=August 29, 2014}}</ref> but was later pushed forward to November 19.<ref name="cnusa">{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/5781.html|title=Cartoon Network Offers J-Pop Hybrid|accessdate=August 29, 2014}}</ref>


[[Sam Register]] originally pitched the idea of [[Puffy AmiYumi]] having their own television series on [[Cartoon Network]], and afterwards, [[Renegade Animation]] developed a test short on April 22, 2003,{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} in hopes of making the channel greenlight the show's production. Renegade Animation originally, at first, created other Cartoon Network pilots before ''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi''; two of which feature ''Captain Sturdy''; one in 2001, entitled "Back in Action", and the other in 2003, entitled "The Originals", but they were ultimately rejected, and Renegade Animation then started working on ''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi'' starting with its pilot on April 22, 2003. The pilot was not broadcast, but was initially successful, and got the green-light from Cartoon Network. Finally, it was shown in non-full version as a preview on Cartoon Network DVDs and VHS tapes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi Pilot Promo - YouTube | date=5 October 2014 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6f-12EfUcA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/_6f-12EfUcA |archive-date=2021-12-22 |access-date=September 13, 2016 |publisher=youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The entire pilot was found by series' director, [[Darrell Van Citters]], and was uploaded to Vimeo on April 5, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi - Unaired Pilot - Lost Media Page |url=https://lostmediawiki.com/Hi_Hi_Puffy_AmiYumi_(found_unaired_pilot_of_Cartoon_Network_animated_series;_2003) |access-date=April 17, 2018 |publisher=lostmediawiki.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi - Full Unaired Pilot - Vimeo |url=https://vimeo.com/263460712 |access-date=April 17, 2018 |publisher=vimeo.com}}</ref> The series was officially announced at Cartoon Network's upfront on February 26, 2004. It was originally planned to premiere in December 2004,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cartoon Network Unveils New Shows |url=https://animatedviews.com/2004/cartoon-network-unveils-new-shows/ |access-date=August 29, 2014}}</ref> but was later moved up to November 19.<ref name="cnusa">{{Cite web |title=Cartoon Network Offers J-Pop Hybrid |url=https://icv2.com/articles/comics/view/5781/cartoon-network-offers-j-pop-hybrid |access-date=August 29, 2014}}</ref>
===Cancellation===
On October 2, 2006, the show's crew announced on their blog (puffycrew.blogspot.com) that Cartoon Network had cancelled ''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi''.


=== Cancellation ===
{{As of|2016|04}}, Cartoon Network has not mentioned any plans to release the final episodes of the series in the United States, nor has it mentioned any further external support of it in forms such as DVD releases. Later, they removed all mention of the show from their website (except the online games and products in the online shop).
On October 2, 2006, the show's crew announced on their blog that Cartoon Network had cancelled ''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi'' after three seasons and 39 episodes due to management shakeup, leading Sam Register to leave the channel, until Register officially became the president of [[Cartoon Network Studios]] on August 28, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Low |first=Elaine |date=August 28, 2020 |title=Sam Register Upped to Head of Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, Rob Sorcher to Shift to Production Deal |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/sam-register-president-warner-bros-animation-cartoon-network-studios-rob-sorcher-1234752292/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200829000520/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/sam-register-president-warner-bros-animation-cartoon-network-studios-rob-sorcher-1234752292/ |archive-date=August 29, 2020 |access-date=August 28, 2020 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>


== Appearances in other media ==
In [[Japan]], [[Latin America]], [[Philippines]], Germany, Canada (on [[YTV (TV channel)|YTV]]), and Australia (on GO!), all of the final five produced episodes have been televised.{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}}
<!-- If someone can name any other show they appear in, even as a parody, add here. -->
The show had been acknowledged and referenced several times, even outside of Cartoon Network themselves. These also come in the form of parodies, albeit rare.
* A clip of the episode, "AmiYumi 3000", can be seen playing on TV in the film ''[[Nancy Drew (2007 film)|Nancy Drew]]''.
* In 2012, Ami and Yumi appeared on Cartoon Network's 20th anniversary poster.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 August 2012 |title=Cartoon Network's 20th Anniversary |url=https://firewireblog.com/2012/08/04/cartoon-networks-20th-anniversary-poster/ |website=Firewire Blog}}</ref>
* Yumi later made a [[cameo appearance]] in the ''[[OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes]]'' special ''Crossover Nexus''.
* Ami and Yumi made a background appearance, within their poster in a TV pilot for ''[[Villainous (TV series)|Villainous]]''.
* Ami's haircut appeared as a wardrobe item in the 2020 mobile game, ''KleptoCats: Cartoon Network''.
* Parodies of Ami and Yumi, named Ori and Yori, show up in the [[Nickelodeon]] series ''[[Kappa Mikey]]''.


== Episodes ==
Cartoon Network did not acknowledge the show again until 2012, when Ami and Yumi appeared on the network's 20th anniversary poster.<ref>[http://asset-2.soup.io/asset/4290/2953_25d1.jpeg Cartoon Network's 20th Anniversary Poster With Ami And Yumi]</ref>
{{Main|List of Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi episodes}}

===Broadcast===
{{Main article|List of Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi episodes}}
{{:List of Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi episodes}}
{{:List of Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi episodes}}


== Broadcast ==
''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi'' premiered in the United States on [[Cartoon Network]] on November 19, 2004.<ref name="cnusa"/> After ending on June 27, 2006, the show continued to rerun until December 22, where it aired in reruns normally, and occasionally, would be one of the few non-Cartoon Cartoons to air in reruns on ''The Cartoon Cartoon Show'' before being removed from the network's schedule.<ref>http://www.tvschedulearchive.com/cartoon-network/2006/070306.txt</ref>
''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi'' premiered in the United States on [[Cartoon Network]] on November 19, 2004.<ref name="cnusa" /> After ending on June 27, 2006, the show continued to rerun until December 22, 2006, where it aired in reruns and occasionally as one of the few non-[[Cartoon Cartoons]] to air in reruns on ''The Cartoon Cartoon Show'' before being removed from the network's schedule.<ref name="TVSA">{{Cite web |date=August 8, 2014 |title=TV Schedule Archive - The internet's largest archive of TV schedules! |url=http://www.tvschedulearchive.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808191003/http://www.tvschedulearchive.com/ |archive-date=2014-08-08}}</ref>

Since Cartoon Network is available worldwide, the show has been dubbed into multiple languages and aired on Cartoon Network worldwide. In Canada, the series premiered on [[YTV (TV channel)|YTV]] on September 5, 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yummy Yumi for YTV |url=https://mediaincanada.com/2005/08/16/yumi-20050816/ |access-date=August 29, 2014 |website=[[Media of Canada]]}}</ref> In Japan, the show began airing on Cartoon Network in English with Japanese [[subtitle (captioning)|subtitles]] in 2005. A dubbed version began airing on [[TV Tokyo]]'s [[Oha Suta]] block on October 6, 2005, and started to air on January 8, 2006, on [[Cartoon Network (Japanese TV channel)|Cartoon Network Japan]].

In Germany, the show aired on [[Cartoon Network (German TV channel)|Cartoon Network Germany]] with all episodes. It premiered in 2005 on the Cartoon Network's block of [[Kabel eins]]. The show stopped airing there after two seasons in 2006. The reason was that [[Cartoon Network (German TV channel)|Cartoon Network Germany]] launched and most of the shows moved there.{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}}

In Poland, the show aired on [[Cartoon Network Poland]] from 2005 to 2006.


In Australia, the show premiered on April 3, 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 3, 2005 |title=Cartoon Network - TV |url=http://www.cartoonnetwork.com.au/asp/tv/default.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050403235646/http://www.cartoonnetwork.com.au/asp/tv/default.asp |archive-date=2005-04-03}}</ref> It stopped airing on [[Cartoon Network (Australian and New Zealand TV channel)|Cartoon Network Australia]] in November 2008. The third season was never shown there. From August to November 2009, the Australian channel [[9Go!]] showed the last season instead and was abandoned in January 2010.{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}}
Since Cartoon Network is available worldwide, the show has been dubbed into multiple languages and aired on Cartoon Network worldwide. In Canada, the series premiered on [[YTV (TV channel)|YTV]] on September 5, 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mediaincanada.com/2005/08/16/yumi-20050816/|title=Yummy Tumi for YTV|accessdate=August 29, 2014}}</ref> In Japan, the show began airing on Cartoon Network in English with Japanese [[subtitle (captioning)|subtitles]] in 2005. A dubbed version began airing on [[TV Tokyo]]'s [[Oha Suta]] block on October 6, 2005, and started to air on January 8, 2006, on [[Cartoon Network (Japan)|Cartoon Network Japan]]. The show is still currently airing in Cartoon Network Japan.


As of December 2023, the show airs on [[Tooncast]] at 2:30am and 2:30pm respectively.
In Germany, the show airs every day, although late at night, on [[Cartoon Network (Germany)|Cartoon Network Germany]] with all episodes. It premiered in 2005 on the Cartoon Network's block of [[Kabel eins]]. The show stopped airing there after two seasons in 2006. The reason was that [[Cartoon Network Germany]] launched and most of the shows moved there.{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}}


While the show has had a limited release on DVD in America, the entire series was released on [[Max (streaming service)|HBO Max]] in the Latin America area. The release includes both the Spanish and original English tracks.<ref name="HBOMAX" />
In Australia, the show premiered on the 3 April 2005.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20050403235646/http://www.cartoonnetwork.com.au/asp/tv/default.asp</ref> It stopped airing on [[Cartoon Network Australia]] in November 2008. The third season was never shown there. From August to November 2009, the Australian channel [[Go! (Australian TV channel)|GO!]] showed the last season instead and was abandoned in January 2010.{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}}


==Reception==
== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote that the show is "modern, in its retro, Asian-tinged way -- in other words, right in line with the Cartoon Network aesthetic -- but nothing new", and called it "bright and loud and sensational".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lloyd |first=Robert |date=2004-11-19 |title='Hi Hi Puffy' Ready to Rock |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-nov-19-et-puffy19-story.html |access-date=2019-12-10 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>


===Ratings===
=== Ratings ===
''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi'' debuted on [[Cartoon Network]] on November 19, 2004 at 7:30 PM ET/PT with two half-hour episodes. During that time, it scored the highest-ever Kids 2-11 rating and delivery and the second highest Kids 6-11 rating (4.4) and delivery (1,068,000) ever for an original series premiere.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}} The show also charted double-digit increases with Girls 6-11 in ratings and delivery for Cartoon Network's Fridays programming block.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adgbc.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=6889|title="Puffy AmiYumi Show" Ratings Release|accessdate=September 17, 2014}}</ref> During the following week, the show became the network's top-rated hit for kids 6-11. It also increased Cartoon Network's audience among that age group by 49% over the previous year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/licensing/mattel-to-license-hi-hi-puffy-ami-yumi/|title=Mattel to License Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi|accessdate=September 17, 2014}}</ref>
''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi'' debuted on [[Cartoon Network]] on November 19, 2004, at 7:30 PM ET/PT with two half-hour episodes. The show charted double-digit increases with Girls 6–11 in ratings and delivery for Cartoon Network's Fridays programming block.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Puffy AmiYumi Show" Ratings Release |url=http://www.adgbc.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=6889 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140918052850/http://www.adgbc.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=6889 |archive-date=2014-09-18 |access-date=September 17, 2014}}</ref> During the following week, the show became the network's top-rated hit for kids 6–11. It also increased Cartoon Network's audience among that age group by 49% over the previous year.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gurman |first=Sarah |date=February 17, 2005 |title=Mattel to License Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2005/02/mattel-to-license-hi-hi-puffy-ami-yumi/ |access-date=2014-09-17 |website=[[Animation Magazine]]}}</ref>


===Awards and nominations===
=== Awards and nominations ===
The series has been nominated three times for the [[Annie Award]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://imdb.com/title/tt0407398/awards | title= Awards for "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi" | publisher = [[Internet Movie Database]] | accessdate=2006-08-28}}</ref> Two of them came in 2005 and one came in 2006.
The series has been nominated three times for the [[Annie Award]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Awards for "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi" |url=http://imdb.com/title/tt0407398/awards |access-date=2006-08-28 |publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]]}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 94: Line 144:
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2005
| rowspan="2" | 2005
| rowspan="2" | Nominated
| rowspan="3" | Nominated
| rowspan="2" | Annie
| rowspan="3" | Annie
| Character Design in an Animated Television Production for Shakeh Haghnazarian
| Character Design in an Animated Television Production for Shakeh Haghnazarian and Lynne Naylor
|-
|-
| Production Design in an Animated Television Production for Michael Giaimo (for first episode)
| Production Design in an Animated Television Production for Michael Giaimo (for first episode)
|-
|-
| 2006
| 2006
| Nominated
| Annie
| Best Production Design in an Animated Television Production for Michael Giaimo
| Best Production Design in an Animated Television Production for Michael Giaimo
|}
|}


==Merchandise==
== Merchandise ==
=== CD ===

===CD===
* ''[[Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi (album)|Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi]]''
* ''[[Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi (album)|Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi]]''
* ''[[Hi Hi (Puffy AmiYumi)|Hi Hi]]''
* ''[[Hi Hi (Puffy AmiYumi)|Hi Hi]]''


===DVD===
=== Home media ===
In March 2022, the entire series was made available on [[Max (streaming service)|HBO Max]] in Latin America.<ref name="HBOMAX">{{Cite web |title=Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi llega al catálogo de HBO Max Latinoamérica |url=https://www-anmtvla-com.translate.goog/2022/03/hi-hi-puffy-ami-yumi-llega-al-catalogo.html?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc |access-date=2022-03-06 |website=www-anmtvla-com.translate.goog |language=es}}</ref> An additional web page was made available in North America as well; however, it is currently inaccessible.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi HBO Max (North America Page) |url=https://www.hbomax.com/series/urn:hbo:series:GYgHSfAEWYsLDZQEAAAE3 |access-date=2022-03-31}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center"
|-
|-
|+''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi'' home media releases
|+ United States DVDs
! colspan=2|Season || Title || Release date
! DVD name !! Season !! Ep # !! Overall !! Episode featured !! Original release
|-
|-
| rowspan=4|''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYum: Let's Go!''
! rowspan=8 style="background:#8888FF| || rowspan=8|[[List of Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi episodes#Season 1 (2004–05)|1]]
| rowspan=6|[[List of Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi episodes#Season 1 (2004–05)|1]]
| rowspan=2|''Volume 1: Let's Go!'' || {{dts|2005|11|29}} ({{flagicon|USA}})
| colspan=2|1
| Dis-Harmony / Collect All 5 / Ninjcompoop
| rowspan=8|2005
|-
|-
| {{dts|2006|09|04}} ({{flagicon|JPN}})
| colspan=2|3
| Ami's Secret / Taffy Trouble / Dance a Go-Go
|-
|-
| rowspan=2|''Volume 2: Rock Forever!'' || {{dts|2005|11|29}} ({{flagicon|USA}})
| colspan=2|11
| The Amazing Haz-Am / Puffylicious / Lights Camera Danger
|-
|-
| {{dts|2006|10|30}} ({{flagicon|JPN}})
| colspan=2|12
| The First of Fan Clubs / Cat Nap / Cursed!
|-
|-
| ''Girl Power'' || {{dts|2006|04|17}} ({{flagicon|USA}})
| rowspan=4|''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi : Rock Forever!''
| colspan=2|5
| Showdown! / In the Cards / Team Teen
|-
|-
| ''Volume 3: Team Puffy!'' || {{dts|2006|10|30}} ({{flagicon|JPN}})
| colspan=2|9
| Yumi Saves Kaz / Rock 'N Roe / Scowlitis
|-
|-
| ''Volume 4: Rock It Up!'' || {{dts|2006|10|30}} ({{flagicon|JPN}})
| rowspan=2|[[List of Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi episodes#Season 2 (2005)|2]]
| 1
| 14
| Koi Fish / Arbor Day / Ami Ami
|-
|-
| ''The Complete First Season'' || {{dts|2009|03|25}} ({{flagicon|JPN}})
| 3
| 16
|-
! rowspan=6 style="background:#5BE85B| || rowspan=6|[[List of Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi episodes#Season 2 (2005)|2]]
| Hungry Yumi / The Oddyguard / Song Sung Bad
| ''Volume 2: Rock Forever!'' || {{dts|2005|11|29}} ({{flagicon|USA}})
|-
| ''Volume 5'' || {{dts|2007|06|11}} ({{flagicon|JPN}})
|-
| ''Volume 6'' || {{dts|2007|06|11}} ({{flagicon|JPN}})
|-
| ''Volume 7'' || {{dts|2007|06|11}} ({{flagicon|JPN}})
|-
| ''Volume 8'' || {{dts|2007|06|11}} ({{flagicon|JPN}})
|-
| ''The Complete Second Season'' || {{dts|2009|03|25}} ({{flagicon|JPN}})
|}
|}
"The first 3 episodes of "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi" was made on a DVD in the UK (Region 0)".


===Video games===
=== Video games ===
There are two video games released by [[D3 Publisher|D3Publisher of America (D3PA)]] based on the show.
There are two video games released by [[D3 Publisher|D3Publisher of America (D3PA)]] based on the show:
* ''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: Kaznapped!'' ([[Game Boy Advance]], 2005): Ami and Yumi return from a world tour and decide to take a break. Harmony hypnotizes and kidnaps Kaz, and traps Ami and Yumi onto a giant lollipop. Their cats, Jang Keng and Tekirai, lick them free, and Ami and Yumi set off on a journey to rescue Kaz. This title was developed by [[Altron]].
* ''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: Kaznapped!'' ([[Game Boy Advance]]) (2005)
* ''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: The Genie and the Amp'' ([[Nintendo DS]], 2006): Ami and Yumi are having trouble getting their creative juices flowing to lay down some tracks for their new album, only for them to find a magic [[genie]] that sends them to various time periods to collect magic notes, which are required for the girls to play the "Ultimate World Tour." This title was developed by [[Sensory Sweep Studios]].<ref name=TVSA/>
* ''[[Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: The Genie and the Amp]]'' ([[Nintendo DS]]) (2006)


===Marketing===
=== Marketing ===
* A "falloon" (a float with balloon elements) of Puffy AmiYumi's cartoon tour bus (complete with the supporting characters in puppet form), the cartoon version of Puffy AmiYumi as a balloon, and the real PUFFY appeared in the [[Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade]] in 2005. A video of this Macy Parade Float in Chicago can be viewed on [http://sumo.tv/video/324854 SUMO.tv].
* A "falloon" (a float with balloon elements) of Puffy AmiYumi's cartoon tour bus (complete with the supporting characters in puppet form), the cartoon version of Puffy AmiYumi as a balloon, and the real PUFFY appeared in the [[Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade]] in 2005.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Cartoon Network Unveils Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi Float For the 79th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade® |date=31 October 2005 |publisher=WarnerMedia |url=https://www.warnermediagroup.com/newsroom/press-releases/2005/10/31/cartoon-network-unveils-hi-hi-puffy-amiyumi-float-for-the-79th |access-date=2018-08-31 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831123844/https://www.warnermediagroup.com/newsroom/press-releases/2005/10/31/cartoon-network-unveils-hi-hi-puffy-amiyumi-float-for-the-79th |archive-date=2018-08-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lc7aEQS9XUg |title=The 79th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (2005, NBC) |language=en |time=52:50 |access-date=2022-03-31 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
* A line of toys intended for girls was produced by [[Mattel]] (makers of the popular [[Barbie]] doll and [[Hot Wheels]] cars) and released for the 2005 Christmas season.
* A line of toys intended for girls was produced by [[Mattel]] (makers of the popular [[Barbie]] doll and [[Hot Wheels]] cars) and released for the 2005 Christmas season.
* Two DVDs, ''Let's Go!'' and ''Rock Forever'', featuring various episodes of the show, were released on November 29, 2005.
* Two DVDs, ''Let's Go!'' and ''Rock Forever'', featuring various episodes of the show, were released on November 29, 2005.
* The American costume company Rubie's produced a line of Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi costumes and accessories for girls for [[Halloween]] 2006.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://rubies.com/landingpage.cfm?ItemNumber=882325 | title= Yumi| publisher = Rubie's | accessdate=2006-08-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://rubies.com/landingpage.cfm?ItemNumber=882323 | title= Ami| publisher = Rubie's | accessdate=2006-08-28}}</ref>
* The American costume company Rubie's produced a line of ''Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi'' costumes and accessories for girls for [[Halloween]] 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yumi |url=https://www.rubies.com/landingpage.cfm?ItemNumber=882325 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930003543/http://www.rubies.com/landingpage.cfm?ItemNumber=882325 |archive-date=2007-09-30 |access-date=2006-08-28 |publisher=Rubie's}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ami |url=https://www.rubies.com/landingpage.cfm?ItemNumber=882323 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930003537/http://www.rubies.com/landingpage.cfm?ItemNumber=882323 |archive-date=2007-09-30 |access-date=2006-08-28 |publisher=Rubie's}}</ref>


==See also==
== See also ==
{{Portal|Television|United States|Cartoon|2000s}}
* [[PUFFY]]
* ''[[Pink Lady and Jeff]]'', the previous attempt to import a Japanese pop group to US television.
* [[Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: The Genie and the Amp]] ([[Nintendo DS]]) (2006)
* [[Pink Lady and Jeff]], the previous attempt to import a Japanese pop group to US television.


==References==
== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060111031915/http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/puffyamiyumi/ Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi] at ''[[Cartoon Network]]''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060111031915/http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/tv_shows/puffyamiyumi/ Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi] at ''[[Cartoon Network]]''
* {{IMDb title|0407398}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{tv.com show|hi-hi-puffy-amiyumi}}


{{Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi}}
{{Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi}}
{{Puffy AmiYumi}}
{{Puffy AmiYumi}}
{{Cartoon Network original programming}}
{{Former Cartoon Network original programming}}


[[Category:2000s American animated television series]]
[[Category:Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi| ]]
[[Category:2004 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:2004 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:2004 animated television series debuts]]
[[Category:2006 American television series endings]]
[[Category:2006 American television series endings]]
[[Category:Animated duos]]
[[Category:2000s American animated television series]]
[[Category:Anime-influenced animation]]
[[Category:2000s American children's television series]]
[[Category:Cartoon Network Studios series and characters]]
[[Category:American anime-influenced animated television series]]
[[Category:Comedy anime and manga]]
[[Category:American children's animated action television series]]
[[Category:American children's comedy television series]]
[[Category:American children's animated adventure television series]]
[[Category:Puffy AmiYumi]]
[[Category:American children's animated comedy television series]]
[[Category:Television series created by Sam Register]]
[[Category:American children's animated fantasy television series]]
[[Category:YTV shows]]
[[Category:American children's animated musical television series]]
[[Category:Flash television shows]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Fantasy television series]]
[[Category:American flash animated television series]]
[[Category:Musical television series]]
[[Category:American teen animated television series]]
[[Category:American television series with live action and animation]]
[[Category:Animated musical groups]]
[[Category:Animated television series set in Asia]]
[[Category:Animation based on real people]]
[[Category:Cartoon Network original programming]]
[[Category:Japan in non-Japanese culture]]
[[Category:Metafictional television series]]
[[Category:Television series based on singers and musicians]]
[[Category:Television series based on singers and musicians]]
[[Category:Television series with live action and animation]]
[[Category:Television series created by Sam Register]]
[[Category:Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi| ]]
[[Category:Television series by Cartoon Network Studios]]
[[Category:Television shows adapted into comics]]
[[Category:Television shows adapted into video games]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Japan]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Japan]]
[[Category:Puffy AmiYumi]]

Latest revision as of 04:12, 29 December 2024

Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi
Genre
Created bySam Register
Developed byShakeh Hagnazarian
Starring
  • Ami Onuki
  • Yumi Yoshimura
Voices of
Theme music composer
Opening theme"Hi Hi"[a]
Ending theme"Hi Hi" (Instrumental)
Composers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes39[c] (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
ProducerAshley Postlewaite
Editors
  • Thom Whitehead[e]
  • Joe Campana
  • Nate Pacheco[f]
  • Michael D'Ambrosio
  • Rick Greenwald[g]
Running time22 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkCartoon Network
ReleaseNovember 19, 2004 (2004-11-19) –
June 27, 2006 (2006-06-27)

Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi is an American animated series created by Sam Register[1] and produced by Renegade Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, which aired on Cartoon Network from 2004 to 2006. The series stars fictionalized and animated versions of the Japanese pop rock group Puffy AmiYumi. The series premiered on November 19, 2004, and ended on June 27, 2006, with a total of three seasons and 39 episodes.

During its short-lived run, the series was nominated for an Annie Award three times. Merchandise based on the series has also been produced, such as video games, home media releases, toys, and clothing.

Premise

[edit]
The main cast of the show. From left to right: Ami, Kaz, Yumi, Jang-Keng and Tekirai.

Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi follows the adventures of two best friends: the peppy, optimistic, cheerful, girly girl Ami Onuki (voiced by Janice Kawaye); and the cynical, sarcastic, grumpy tomboy Yumi Yoshimura (voiced by Grey DeLisle). Both are based on the Japanese pop duo Puffy AmiYumi, but with different appearances and exaggerated personalities. They travel around the world on their customized tour bus along with their well-intentioned yet greedy manager Kaz Harada (voiced by Keone Young). From rocking out at a concert to hanging out in their hometown of Tokyo, the duo take the world by storm with their musical talent, trend-setting style, and humor, dishing out lessons in J-pop justice and establishing the international language of "cool" along the way.

Secondary characters include: Jang-Keng (voiced by Grey DeLisle) and Tekirai (voiced by Janice Kawaye), the duo's pet cats who enjoy tormenting Kaz; Harmony (voiced by Sandy Fox), a six-year-old girl who is the self-proclaimed "Number One Fan" of Puffy AmiYumi and (later) Kaz and constantly stalks them; Eldwin Blair (voiced by Nathan Carlson), a sinister land developer who tries to tear down beloved places for his own selfish needs; the evil Talent Suckers (voiced by Nathan Carlson and Corey Burton), a vampire rock trio from Transylvania; and Atchan (voiced by Rob Paulsen), a caricature of Atsushi (lead singer of the punk band New Rote'ka) who speaks in third-person and thinks he is a superhero.

The animated Puffy AmiYumi travel all over the world in their tour bus. While appearing the same size as a regular bus on the outside, it appears to have enough internal space to house the girls' rooms (including full-sized beds), Kaz's room, their equipment, televisions, and computers, among other things. In the episode "Domo", Kaz refers to an upstairs area. It also seems capable of running on autopilot, as Kaz, Ami, and Yumi are sometimes sitting in the rear cabin of the bus while traveling. Occasionally, the rear door has been opened to receive packages delivered by a boy on a scooter.

During the first season, the show included live-action clips of the real Ami and Yumi making childish commentary (in English and non-subtitled Japanese) at the beginning and end of each episode. They only performed short clips at the beginning of the show during the second and third seasons. Starting with the second season, the duo was sometimes shown holding title cards introducing the cartoon segments. At the end of the episode "Sitcomi Yumi", Ami and Yumi watched television and saw the animated Kaz with the real Ami and Yumi. All of the live-action clips were produced by Freegate, Ltd.

The real PUFFY performs the cartoon's theme song (which is also in Japanese, German, Spanish, and Portuguese in the respective countries), and many episodes feature one or more of the duo's songs playing in the background, along with music by Andy Sturmer.

Though the characters speak English, the script intersperses their vernacular with Japanese speech, especially when the characters react to events that they find to be surprising. Calling out "Tasukete!" instead of "Help!" is commonly used.

Voice cast

[edit]
  • Janice Kawaye as Ami Onuki, Tekirai, News Reporter, Additional Voices
  • Grey DeLisle as Yumi Yoshimura, Jang Keng, Fan Club President, Additional Voices
  • Keone Young as Kaz Harada, Domo, Security Guard, Additional Voices
  • Rob Paulsen as Atchan, Dr. Mysto, Clyde Easy Glide, Mr. Darrell, Additional Voices
  • Corey Burton as Nicolai, Scar Tissue, Road Kill Flash Backman, Additional Voices
  • Sandy Fox as Harmony
  • Nathan Carlson as Vlad, Eldwin Blair, Pizza Guy, Emecee, Additional Voices
  • Katie Leigh as King Chad
  • Kimberly Brooks as Jill
  • Lara Jill Miller as Julie
  • Will Ryan as Farmer Zeke, Alien Banana #1, Wall, Rumaki, Old Camper 3, Wasabi, Sumo Wrestler, Muscle Bound Guy, Defensive End, Riptide's Coach

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]
A picture of Ami and Yumi, titled "Girls Rock!", is done by Lynne Naylor, one of the show's character designers back in 2005.

According to Register, the target audience of the show is children from 6 to 11 years old.[2] However, it also has a cult following of teen and adult fans of the real-life Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura who make up the Japanese pop duo Puffy AmiYumi. Register, who was a fan of the band, wished to spread its fame to other parts of the world and thus created the series.[3]

The series features the adventures of animated versions of the duo, who have been immensely popular in Japan since making their debut, and is the second television show to be based on the band after Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa-Puffy, which aired in Japan from 1997 to 2002. The group now has its own U.S. albums, including a 2004 companion album to this program, and was known to viewers of Cartoon Network in the U.S. for performing the theme to the Teen Titans animated series. During production of the series, DeLisle learned some Japanese from Kawaye and Young, both of whom speak the language fluently.

The cartoon was one of the few cartoons at the time produced entirely in the United States, with a number of characters designed by famed Canadian artist Lynne Naylor, who also designed characters for other Cartoon Network shows, including Samurai Jack, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, and The Powerpuff Girls, which got the show nominated for the coveted Annie Award. The pilot used a combination of Macromedia Flash and traditional cel animation.[4] Each program was 30 minutes long (with commercials) and featured three seven-minute segments. The visual style of the show is anime-influenced.[5]

The show takes inspiration from various works animated in Japan, such as Pokémon, Digimon, the Sunbow Productions animated series based on Hasbro properties, the Walt Disney Animation Japan animated production, the Marvel Productions animated series, the Studio Ghibli animated production, and the Rankin/Bass animated series.[6] Other inspirations included old MGM and Warner Bros. cartoons, as well as Hanna-Barbera and Mirisch/UA cartoons, UPA shorts, and the works of Jay Ward.[citation needed] Some of the show's crew members included various writers from Nickelodeon's CatDog, including Steven Banks, Kit Boyce and Robert Lamoreaux.

Sam Register originally pitched the idea of Puffy AmiYumi having their own television series on Cartoon Network, and afterwards, Renegade Animation developed a test short on April 22, 2003,[citation needed] in hopes of making the channel greenlight the show's production. Renegade Animation originally, at first, created other Cartoon Network pilots before Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi; two of which feature Captain Sturdy; one in 2001, entitled "Back in Action", and the other in 2003, entitled "The Originals", but they were ultimately rejected, and Renegade Animation then started working on Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi starting with its pilot on April 22, 2003. The pilot was not broadcast, but was initially successful, and got the green-light from Cartoon Network. Finally, it was shown in non-full version as a preview on Cartoon Network DVDs and VHS tapes.[7] The entire pilot was found by series' director, Darrell Van Citters, and was uploaded to Vimeo on April 5, 2018.[8][9] The series was officially announced at Cartoon Network's upfront on February 26, 2004. It was originally planned to premiere in December 2004,[10] but was later moved up to November 19.[11]

Cancellation

[edit]

On October 2, 2006, the show's crew announced on their blog that Cartoon Network had cancelled Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi after three seasons and 39 episodes due to management shakeup, leading Sam Register to leave the channel, until Register officially became the president of Cartoon Network Studios on August 28, 2020.[12]

Appearances in other media

[edit]

The show had been acknowledged and referenced several times, even outside of Cartoon Network themselves. These also come in the form of parodies, albeit rare.

  • A clip of the episode, "AmiYumi 3000", can be seen playing on TV in the film Nancy Drew.
  • In 2012, Ami and Yumi appeared on Cartoon Network's 20th anniversary poster.[13]
  • Yumi later made a cameo appearance in the OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes special Crossover Nexus.
  • Ami and Yumi made a background appearance, within their poster in a TV pilot for Villainous.
  • Ami's haircut appeared as a wardrobe item in the 2020 mobile game, KleptoCats: Cartoon Network.
  • Parodies of Ami and Yumi, named Ori and Yori, show up in the Nickelodeon series Kappa Mikey.

Episodes

[edit]
Main article: List of Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi episodes
SeasonSegmentsEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
PilotApril 22, 2003 (2003-04-22)
13913November 19, 2004 (2004-11-19)March 25, 2005 (2005-03-25)
23913April 22, 2005 (2005-04-22)November 25, 2005 (2005-11-25)
33913February 17, 2006 (2006-02-17)June 27, 2006 (2006-06-27)

Broadcast

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Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi premiered in the United States on Cartoon Network on November 19, 2004.[11] After ending on June 27, 2006, the show continued to rerun until December 22, 2006, where it aired in reruns and occasionally as one of the few non-Cartoon Cartoons to air in reruns on The Cartoon Cartoon Show before being removed from the network's schedule.[14]

Since Cartoon Network is available worldwide, the show has been dubbed into multiple languages and aired on Cartoon Network worldwide. In Canada, the series premiered on YTV on September 5, 2005.[15] In Japan, the show began airing on Cartoon Network in English with Japanese subtitles in 2005. A dubbed version began airing on TV Tokyo's Oha Suta block on October 6, 2005, and started to air on January 8, 2006, on Cartoon Network Japan.

In Germany, the show aired on Cartoon Network Germany with all episodes. It premiered in 2005 on the Cartoon Network's block of Kabel eins. The show stopped airing there after two seasons in 2006. The reason was that Cartoon Network Germany launched and most of the shows moved there.[citation needed]

In Poland, the show aired on Cartoon Network Poland from 2005 to 2006.

In Australia, the show premiered on April 3, 2005.[16] It stopped airing on Cartoon Network Australia in November 2008. The third season was never shown there. From August to November 2009, the Australian channel 9Go! showed the last season instead and was abandoned in January 2010.[citation needed]

As of December 2023, the show airs on Tooncast at 2:30am and 2:30pm respectively.

While the show has had a limited release on DVD in America, the entire series was released on HBO Max in the Latin America area. The release includes both the Spanish and original English tracks.[17]

Reception

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Critical response

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The Los Angeles Times wrote that the show is "modern, in its retro, Asian-tinged way -- in other words, right in line with the Cartoon Network aesthetic -- but nothing new", and called it "bright and loud and sensational".[18]

Ratings

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Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi debuted on Cartoon Network on November 19, 2004, at 7:30 PM ET/PT with two half-hour episodes. The show charted double-digit increases with Girls 6–11 in ratings and delivery for Cartoon Network's Fridays programming block.[19] During the following week, the show became the network's top-rated hit for kids 6–11. It also increased Cartoon Network's audience among that age group by 49% over the previous year.[20]

Awards and nominations

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The series has been nominated three times for the Annie Award.[21]

Year Result Award Category
2005 Nominated Annie Character Design in an Animated Television Production for Shakeh Haghnazarian and Lynne Naylor
Production Design in an Animated Television Production for Michael Giaimo (for first episode)
2006 Best Production Design in an Animated Television Production for Michael Giaimo

Merchandise

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CD

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Home media

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In March 2022, the entire series was made available on HBO Max in Latin America.[17] An additional web page was made available in North America as well; however, it is currently inaccessible.[22]

Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi home media releases
Season Title Release date
1 Volume 1: Let's Go! November 29, 2005 (United States)
September 4, 2006 (Japan)
Volume 2: Rock Forever! November 29, 2005 (United States)
October 30, 2006 (Japan)
Girl Power April 17, 2006 (United States)
Volume 3: Team Puffy! October 30, 2006 (Japan)
Volume 4: Rock It Up! October 30, 2006 (Japan)
The Complete First Season March 25, 2009 (Japan)
2 Volume 2: Rock Forever! November 29, 2005 (United States)
Volume 5 June 11, 2007 (Japan)
Volume 6 June 11, 2007 (Japan)
Volume 7 June 11, 2007 (Japan)
Volume 8 June 11, 2007 (Japan)
The Complete Second Season March 25, 2009 (Japan)

Video games

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There are two video games released by D3Publisher of America (D3PA) based on the show:

  • Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: Kaznapped! (Game Boy Advance, 2005): Ami and Yumi return from a world tour and decide to take a break. Harmony hypnotizes and kidnaps Kaz, and traps Ami and Yumi onto a giant lollipop. Their cats, Jang Keng and Tekirai, lick them free, and Ami and Yumi set off on a journey to rescue Kaz. This title was developed by Altron.
  • Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi: The Genie and the Amp (Nintendo DS, 2006): Ami and Yumi are having trouble getting their creative juices flowing to lay down some tracks for their new album, only for them to find a magic genie that sends them to various time periods to collect magic notes, which are required for the girls to play the "Ultimate World Tour." This title was developed by Sensory Sweep Studios.[14]

Marketing

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  • A "falloon" (a float with balloon elements) of Puffy AmiYumi's cartoon tour bus (complete with the supporting characters in puppet form), the cartoon version of Puffy AmiYumi as a balloon, and the real PUFFY appeared in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2005.[23][24]
  • A line of toys intended for girls was produced by Mattel (makers of the popular Barbie doll and Hot Wheels cars) and released for the 2005 Christmas season.
  • Two DVDs, Let's Go! and Rock Forever, featuring various episodes of the show, were released on November 29, 2005.
  • The American costume company Rubie's produced a line of Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi costumes and accessories for girls for Halloween 2006.[25][26]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Performed by Puffy AmiYumi
  2. ^ Original songs
  3. ^ 117 segments and 1 pilot
  4. ^ For Cartoon Network Studios
  5. ^ Season 1
  6. ^ Seasons 1–2
  7. ^ Seasons 2–3
  8. ^ Credited as Cartoon Network

References

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  1. ^ Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 284–285. ISBN 978-1538103739.
  2. ^ "Interview with Sam Register: Page 6". Archived from the original on June 15, 2010. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
  3. ^ "Interview with Sam Register: Page 4". Archived from the original on June 15, 2010. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
  4. ^ See boards drawings on Puffy Crew Blog.
  5. ^ "Cartoon Network Turning Japanese with Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi". Animation Magazine. October 7, 2017. Retrieved November 19, 2004.
  6. ^ "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi - What's Cool in Japan". Web Japan. March 2005. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
  7. ^ "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi Pilot Promo - YouTube". youtube.com. 5 October 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-12-22. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  8. ^ "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi - Unaired Pilot - Lost Media Page". lostmediawiki.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  9. ^ "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi - Full Unaired Pilot - Vimeo". vimeo.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  10. ^ "Cartoon Network Unveils New Shows". Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  11. ^ a b "Cartoon Network Offers J-Pop Hybrid". Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  12. ^ Low, Elaine (August 28, 2020). "Sam Register Upped to Head of Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, Rob Sorcher to Shift to Production Deal". Variety. Archived from the original on August 29, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  13. ^ "Cartoon Network's 20th Anniversary". Firewire Blog. 5 August 2012.
  14. ^ a b "TV Schedule Archive - The internet's largest archive of TV schedules!". August 8, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-08-08.
  15. ^ "Yummy Yumi for YTV". Media of Canada. Retrieved August 29, 2014.
  16. ^ "Cartoon Network - TV". April 3, 2005. Archived from the original on 2005-04-03.
  17. ^ a b "Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi llega al catálogo de HBO Max Latinoamérica". www-anmtvla-com.translate.goog (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  18. ^ Lloyd, Robert (2004-11-19). "'Hi Hi Puffy' Ready to Rock". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
  19. ^ ""Puffy AmiYumi Show" Ratings Release". Archived from the original on 2014-09-18. Retrieved September 17, 2014.
  20. ^ Gurman, Sarah (February 17, 2005). "Mattel to License Hi Hi Puffy Ami Yumi". Animation Magazine. Retrieved 2014-09-17.
  21. ^ "Awards for "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi"". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 2006-08-28.
  22. ^ "Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi HBO Max (North America Page)". Retrieved 2022-03-31.
  23. ^ "Cartoon Network Unveils Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi Float For the 79th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®" (Press release). WarnerMedia. 31 October 2005. Archived from the original on 2018-08-31. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
  24. ^ The 79th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (2005, NBC). Event occurs at 52:50. Retrieved 2022-03-31 – via YouTube.
  25. ^ "Yumi". Rubie's. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2006-08-28.
  26. ^ "Ami". Rubie's. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2006-08-28.
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