Highlander: The Animated Series
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation, Entertainment |
| Predecessor | Highlander (1986 film) |
| Founded | September 18, 1994 |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Animated television show |
| Parent | Gaumont Télévision (later Gaumont Multimédia, Xilam) |
Highlander: The Animated Series is a cartoon television show that debuted on September 18, 1994. Serving as a loose continuation and spin-off of the 1986 movie Highlander, it was the inaugural animated production by Gaumont Télévision. This production team later transitioned into Gaumont Multimédia and eventually became Xilam. The global distribution rights were managed by Bohbot Entertainment (which was later known as BKN International).
Plot
Taking place in the 27th century, the storyline centers on the final surviving descendant of the original Highlander who opposes the oppressive ruler Kortan. Following a meteor strike that causes nuclear devastation, Immortals including Connor MacLeod abandon their lethal "Game" and commit to safeguarding human knowledge as Jettators, forsaking their swords in the process.
Kortan refuses to honor this pledge, pursuing conquest through brutal force. Connor MacLeod confronts him but is slain, setting in motion a prophecy about a new Immortal destined to overthrow Kortan. From his fortress Mogonda, Kortan builds an unchecked global empire beyond the influence of the Jettators.
Centuries later, Quentin MacLeod of Clan MacLeod falls defending his people but is resurrected as the foretold Immortal. Under the mentorship of Jettator Don Vincente Marino Ramirez, Quentin hones his skills to face Kortan. Alongside his adoptive sister Clyde and their pet Gaul, Quentin embarks on a quest to acquire the Jettators’ Quickenings—powers transferred through a sword-sharing ritual that renders the donor mortal—enhancing his strength and insight.
Although aimed at younger viewers, the series incorporates mature themes and violence; secondary characters frequently perish, and while Quentin gains others’ powers without killing, Kortan continues to decapitate adversaries. The plot delves into morally complex figures on both sides—some of Kortan’s lieutenants display redeeming qualities, and Quentin wrestles with ethical dilemmas related to power and avarice.
Certain Jettators exploit loopholes to directly oppose Kortan, such as Matsuda who engineers a cyborg warrior, or Cornell who adopts an alias to combat him.
Protagonists
- Quentin MacLeod: The main protagonist raised by the Dundee clan. After being killed by Arak during Kortan’s attempt to capture the Dundee, he revives as an Immortal. He primarily wields Connor MacLeod’s sword and is adept with a boomerang.
- Don Vincente Marino Ramírez: The Jettator who mentors Quentin and ensures adherence to the oath. He instructs Quentin in combat techniques, philosophy, and history; several episodes explore his past through flashbacks.
- Clyde of the Dundee: Quentin’s adopted younger sister raised within his family. Frequently endangered on missions but occasionally used as a tactical distraction.
- Gaul: Clyde’s pet Gran, a hybrid creature combining ape and canine traits. Fiercely protective of both Clyde and Quentin, Gaul often uses instinct to assist Quentin during perilous situations.
Notable villains
- Kortan: One of three Immortals who defied the Oath, proclaiming himself victor of the Game and ruling Earth from his fortress-like arcology Mogonda.
- Arak: Kortan’s chief lieutenant and leader of the Hunters. Responsible for fatally wounding Quentin’s adoptive mother and killing Quentin himself, which triggered his immortality. Equipped with cybernetic left eye and hand; identified as "RY407" in "The Secret Prison."
- Malone: Once a mime, now Kortan’s "human key" to weaponry and court jester. His memories were wiped by Kortan’s "oblivion chamber." Despite childish demeanor, he is shrewd and unwaveringly loyal.
- Gorth: Commanding gladiator slaves as a loyal army leader. A formidable swordsman who rivals Arak in both leadership capability and combat prowess.
- Asklepios: Mogonda’s Bureaucrat #76 and brilliant scientist engaged in rivalry with Arak for Kortan’s favor.
- Valka: Bureaucrat #28 who assisted Asklepios in establishing a spy network; implied romantic interest in him.
- Kirk: Officer managing Kortan’s colony of tamed Anomas (giant ants). Killed when his ants rebelled violently within Magonda’s slums.
- Mohar: Ruthless bounty hunter leader operating in desert regions; historic enemies of the Dundee clan. Controls The Iron City—an abandoned aircraft carrier regarded as sacred for worshipping their last Browning Heavy Machine Gun ("The Brown"). Although antagonistic toward MacLeod, Mohar seeks to challenge Kortan for control over Magonda.
List of Jettators
- Don Vincente Marino Ramírez: An Immortal aged 3000 years, entrusted with mentoring the Highlander and upholding the Jettators' Oath by eliminating any traitors.
- Mangus: The Jettators' chief and an expert in architecture. He alerted Kortan about the Highlander’s arrival centuries earlier. After Kortan stole his designs to construct Mogonda, Mangus concealed himself there and sacrificed his life to aid Quentin’s escape during a rescue operation.
- Yashoda: Renowned as the most skilled Jettator and a master of martial arts, his expertise is vital for defeating Kortan. He challenges Quentin's determination before sharing his knowledge.
- Stevenson: An immortal with specialization in hydroelectric power who betrayed the Highlander; Kortan killed him and appropriated his expertise.
- Ilrick: Possesses advanced medical knowledge.
- Erol: Authority on oil, dynamite, and Earth’s secrets; he went into hiding to avoid Kortan’s pursuit. His hideout was deserted except for Melvyn, an unstable former employee. Quentin rescued Melvyn’s daughter Dana, averting further calamity.
- Lanzelet: A Jettator specializing in historical studies.
- Olak: Controller of wind elements, initially hesitant to impart knowledge due to Quentin’s acrophobia but eventually concedes after Quentin proves his courage. His "quickening" ceremony is prominently portrayed on screen.
- Volta: Expert in nuclear power, bearing blue skin as a result of radiation exposure.
- Eva: Specialist in producing and projecting holograms.
- Orane: Blue-haired sovereign of an underwater city with expertise in oceanography, hinted to have a past connection with Ramírez.
- Fredrickson: A geneticist who cloned himself to safeguard his knowledge; Quentin eliminated the malevolent clone without triggering a Quickening.
- Matsuda: Asian Jettator skilled in cyborgs (android technology), lost a hand to Kortan and constructed a cyborg warrior to combat him.
- Mahata: Authority in entomology.
- Branagh: Linguist who overcame fear when his beloved was abducted by Kortan’s agent Arak.
- Cornell: A blind astronomer who adopted the name Orion; he intended to confront Kortan during an eclipse but transferred both his wisdom and immortality to Quentin beforehand.
- Sehebi: A master botanist initially suspected of treachery but ultimately revealed as an ally. His Quickening is featured in the series’ opening credits.
- Sheperd: Expert in satellite technology who avoided taking the oath due to guilt over a disaster. He passed his knowledge to Quentin moments before Kortan located him.
- Prometheus: Specialist in atomic science suffering from radiation poisoning; convinced Quentin to accept his wisdom before sacrificing himself by destroying his fortress to protect it.
- Emerson: Pioneer of invisibility technology who evaded the oath by being sent into space prior to a meteor impact. After 700 years, he returned but was killed by Kortan for possessing extraterrestrial knowledge.
Creatures
The world of Highlander: The Animated Series includes various distinctive creatures that enrich its setting and storyline:
- Anomas: Giant ants comparable in size to elephants, employed for executions within Mogonda. They secrete paralytic acid and communicate through pheromones. The recluse Zack can manipulate their pheromones to prevent attacks.
- Gavors: Reptilian creatures resembling ostriches that serve as mounts, possessing intelligence similar to horses.
- Grans: Intelligent hybrids combining ape and canine traits, capable of using tools, complex strategizing, and communicating via sign language. Wild Grans are wary of humans and domesticated Grans alike.
- Snow Spider: Large blue spiders about the size of domestic cats that are non-venomous.
- Thorn Pods: Mobile carnivorous flowers emitting a soporific scent capable of consuming humans.
- Gorans: Hybrids between elephants and bovines used as beasts of burden for heavy lifting and transportation.
Staff
- Screenwriters: Francoise Charpiat, Yves Coulon, Sophie Decroisette, Patrick Gallano, Michael Goffard, Frédéric Lenoir, Beatrice Marthouret, Claude Prothée, Serge Rozenzweig
Cast
- Miklos Perlus – Quentin MacLeod
- Ben Campbell – Ramirez
- Lawrence Bayne – Kortan
- Katie Zegers – Clyde
- Don Dickinson – Arak, Frederickson
- Lorne Kennedy – Malone, Connor MacLeod
- Wayne Robson – Asklepios, Glen
- Hrant Alianak – Sahevy
- Graham Haley – Mangus, Erol
- Tracey Moore – Ave
- James Rankin – Stevenson, Mohar
- Stuart Stone – Young Quentin
- Alyson Court – Aria
- John Gilbert – Melvyn
- David Hemblen – Gorth, Olak
- Catherine Disher – Teen
- Dawn Greenhalgh – Petra
- Cedric Smith – Scott
- David Bryant – Lanzelet
- Colin Fox – Cubert
- Denis Akiyama – Yashoda
Spin-offs
The franchise extended into interactive media with the creation of a video game named Highlander: The Last of the MacLeods for the Atari Jaguar CD platform.
Home media
In 1996, Family Home Entertainment released a feature-length film titled Highlander: The Adventure Begins, which compiled multiple episodes.
The DVD distribution of Highlander: The Animated Series in Region 1 was handled by Genius Products, with the release date of December 4, 2007.
A complete series Blu-ray edition is scheduled for release by Discotek Media on July 29, 2025.
| DVD Title | Number of Episodes | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| The Complete Series | 40 | December 4, 2007 |