Hulu subscribers should brace themselves for an onslaught of sugar, spice, and everything nice (along with just a dash of Chemical X). In an “extensive multi-year agreement,” the video-on-demand service has acquired exclusive streaming rights to Cartoon Network’s The Powerpuff Girls, covering the current, Emmy-nominated reboot as well as the1998-2005 original series. Starting in “early 2017,” all episodes of the action-packed-yet-adorable series will be available for streaming on Hulu, alongside the 2007-10 Cartoon Network series Chowder.
Originally conceived by animator Craig McCracken during his days as a student at CalArts in the early 1990s, The Powerpuff Girls has proven to be a durable franchise for two decades, even inspiring an anime and manga version in 2006-7. The show’s potent mixture of weapons-grade cuteness (just look at their giant eyes!) with satisfying superheroics, all delivered with a sly, satirical sense of humor, has made it an enduring classic with wide appeal. Just try resisting this theme song:
A few purists have not yet warmed to the 2016 reboot, especially since some members of the original voice cast were not invited back to reprise their roles. But the fact that the Hulu deal includes the original series as well means that all Powerpuff fans will be able to get their fix. And for newcomers, this is a chance to be introduced to one of the most inventive and visually appealing shows to come out of the ’90s animation boom. Besides the memorable trio at the series’ core, The Powerpuff Girls boasts a great stable of villains, including the evil chimp scientist Mojo Jojo, belligerent bumpkin Fuzzy Lumpkins, and the indescribably creepy character known simply as Him.
[via Deadline]