Exosquad

Exosquad
Company type	Television series
Industry	Animation, Entertainment
Founded	1993; 33 years ago
Founder	Jeff Segal
Headquarters	United States
Products	Animated television series, action figures, video game, comic adaptation

Exosquad is a science fiction animated series from the United States, developed by Universal Cartoon Studios for MCA TV's Universal Family Network syndicated lineup. The show was broadcast over two seasons between 1993 and 1994, with subsequent reruns airing on the USA Network.

Premise

Set in the 22nd century, the storyline explores an interplanetary conflict between humans and Neosapiens—an artificially engineered slave race created to serve the Terrans. The plot follows Able Squad, a specialized group of Terran pilots who operate advanced powered exoskeletons known as exoframes, carrying out various missions throughout the Solar System.

Plot

Taking place during 2119–2121 AD, the narrative unfolds decades after humanity ("Terrans") has expanded its reach beyond Earth by terraforming and settling Venus and Mars—collectively referred to as the "Homeworlds." These planets constitute the foundation of the Terran interplanetary government and later the Neosapien Commonwealth. A separate faction called the Pirate Clans, descendants of banished Terran criminals, pose a threat to Homeworld territories by assaulting cargo vessels. In response, Earth Congress mobilizes the entire Exofleet, humanity’s space naval force, to confront this menace.

While tensions with the Pirate Clans escalate, a Neosapien rebellion ignites. The Neosapiens, genetically designed humanoids originally enslaved during colonization for their enhanced strength and adaptability, had previously revolted fifty years earlier in the First Neosapien Revolt—a rebellion that was suppressed but resulted in limited reforms. Now led by Governor Phaeton, they launch "Operation Destiny," a new uprising that exploits the Exofleet’s deployment against the Pirates to seize control over the Homeworlds.

The focus centers on Able Squad, an elite team of exoframe pilots including J.T. Marsh, Nara Burns, Maggie Weston, Kaz Takagi, Alec DeLeon, Rita Torres, Wolf Bronsky, and Marsala. Their operations take place amid the Neosapien War and feature realistic military engagements with significant casualties and tactical missions. Storylines cover reconnaissance efforts and reclaiming Venus, ongoing resistance from concealed Neosapien factions following liberation, and evolving warfare dynamics.

The second season concludes with the defeat of the Neosapiens and liberation of Earth but leaves unresolved threads suggesting a third season involving an alien conflict requiring cooperation between Terrans and Neosapiens. Additionally, discovery of a Phaeton clone introduces complex ethical challenges for Terran leadership. Despite this setup, the series ended after its second season without continuation.

Voice cast

Kathleen Barr - Lt. Colleen O'Reilly, Cmdr. DeSoto, Doc, Medusa
Lisa Ann Beley - Lt. Nara Burns, Cruiser
Michael Benyaer - Kaz Takagi, Praetorius, Exial
Robby Benson - Lt. J.T. Marsh, Jonas Simbacca
Sylvia Biller - Linda
A.J. Bond - Exoscout
Garry Chalk - Marsala, General Shiva, Nick Tyree, Charles McKenna, Pirate XO, Kruger, Albrecht Ketzer (1st voice)
Ewan Sutherland Clark - Jinx Madison (1st voice)
Allen Stewart-Coates - Glycon
Ian James Corlett - Enleal
Paul Dobson - Thrax
Michael Donovan - Wolf Bronski, Professor Algernon, Picasso (1st voice), James Burns, Jubail, Minister Guidas, Voodoo, General Drusus, Sulla, Albrecht Ketzer (2nd voice)
David Kaye - General Draconis (2nd voice), Hallas, Vince Pellegrino
Terry Klassen - Picasso (2nd voice), George, Kor, Turner, Cates
Karin Konoval - Livia (1st voice), Cpt. Levitch
Janyse Jaud - Sgt. Rita Torres
Campbell Lane - Lysander
Wally Marsh - Admiral Winfield
Scott McNeil - Jinx Madison (2nd voice), Lt. Yuri Stavrogan, Lucullus, Sullust, Denny Bourigum, Neo Lord
Rob Morton - Typhonus, Peter Tanaka, Cpt. Furlong, J.J. Grimley, Sgt. Felson, Gracchus, Wotan
Richard Newman - Phaeton, Cpt. Marcus, Barca, Ramon Longfeather, Pirate Base Commander, President Jonathan Perion, Sharos, Sidney, Stentor
John Payne - Lt. Alec DeLeon, Sean Napier, Xenobius
Teryl Rothery - Lt. Maggie Weston, Diana, Livia (2nd voice), Eve Hanley, Amanda Connor, E-Frame Computer
Tony Sampson - Pirate
Alvin Sanders - Cpt. Avery Butler
Ken Camroux-Taylor - General Draconis (1st voice), Court-martial judge
Marcus Turner - Pirate
Stevie Vallance - Lt. Alice Noretti
Cathy Weseluck - Red
Dale Wilson - Galba

Production

The concept for the series originated in 1989 with Jeff Segal, who had previously served as head writer for Challenge of the GoBots and was then President of Universal Cartoon Studios. Initially, the project was envisioned as a robotic action franchise under the name Exoforce. After encountering a trademark dispute and securing a master toy license agreement with Playmates Toys in 1993, the title was changed to Exosquad. While Segal earned the "Created by" credit, the visual design was largely shaped by Will Meugniot, and Michael Edens played a key role in developing the storyline and overarching plot.

As one of Universal Animation Studios’ earliest ventures, Exosquad showcased strong influences from Japanese anime. This inspiration contributed to its intricate narrative, which tackled mature themes such as warfare and genetic modification to engage a diverse viewership. The first season comprised 13 episodes released in 1993, but due to rising demand, the second season expanded to 39 episodes and aired concurrently with Universal’s Monster Force. Animation production was outsourced to AKOM in South Korea.

During the creation of season two, character developments unfolded in an unplanned manner—for example, Nara Burns’ crucial involvement in defeating Phaeton and the increased role of the Neosapien Thrax were not initially scripted. The planned demise of Alec DeLeon was postponed after executive input but eventually took place on the Moon before his subsequent revival as Neo Mega.

The show ended after 52 episodes amid industry shifts favoring network-produced content. It suffered from unfavorable broadcast times, which contributed to declining viewership. The concluding episode explored political consequences following the war and introduced extraterrestrial foes meant to be featured in a third season or a potential feature film. Executive producer Jeff Segal advocated for both a movie adaptation and a spin-off series called Exo-Pirates, but these projects were canceled after the series ended.

Themes

Exosquad presented a serious narrative characterized by multiple interwoven storylines and characters exhibiting diverse emotional experiences such as friendship, love, animosity, tragedy, betrayal, and duty. Michael Edens, who served as story writer and editor during season two, credited much of the series’ appeal to its realistic portrayal. Recurring motifs included prejudice and racism, highlighting mutual animosity and superiority complexes between Terrans and Neosapiens. The plot incorporated interplanetary diplomacy and space combat within a speculative future history of the Solar System. As season two advanced, Able Squad’s operations spanned Mars, Venus, Earth, and outer space, blending espionage and political intrigue with military engagements.

Executive producer Will Meugniot compared Exosquad to World War II’s European Theater, contrasting it with the anime Mobile Suit Gundam, which he associated with the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Michael Edens also aimed for the storyline to reflect WWII events; for instance, Neosapien efforts to reclaim Venus, seize control of the Moon, and fight over Chicago symbolized battles analogous to the Bulge, Okinawa, and Berlin, respectively.

The title derives from the versatile mecha-style powered exoskeletons that characters primarily use as armored fighting vehicles or enhanced protective suits.

Home media

Shortly after its initial broadcast, the inaugural season of Exosquad was issued on seven VHS tapes and later became accessible on Hulu in 2007. Hulu expanded its offerings by including the entire second season in February 2009. Additionally, the first season was available through the Zune Marketplace. On April 14, 2009, Universal Studios Home Entertainment released all 13 episodes of season one as a two-disc DVD set. Interestingly, only three episodes in this collection retain the original Season One opening sequence; the other ten feature the Season Two introduction. The series was also made available on Peacock starting July 15, 2020.

Merchandise and other media

From 1993 to 1996, Playmates Toys launched a collection of action figures and model kits showcasing exoframes and spacecraft from the show. These items, which enriched the Exosquad lore considerably, were frequently likened to the well-known Robotech toy line. Since Playmates held licenses for both franchises and marketed them under the same brand, speculation about potential crossovers arose but was eventually dismissed. Today, Exosquad collectibles retain strong appeal among enthusiasts.

In 1995, a Exosquad video game was developed by Appaloosa Interactive and published by Playmates for the Sega Genesis. The series also inspired a comic adaptation released by Topps Comics in 1994. Other related products included an interactive movie book and a board game.

External links

Exosquad at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Archived from the original on June 26, 2016.