Insektors

Fantôme

Company type	Company
Industry	Animation, Computer animation
Founded	1985
Founder	Renato, Georges Lacroix, Jean-Yves Grall
Area served	France
Products	Animated television series (including Insektors)

Insektors (presented as InseKtorS) is a French animated series from 1994, set on a world inhabited by two insect communities: one vibrant and peaceful, the other dark-toned and hostile.

Created by the modest French company Fantôme, it stands as one of the pioneering computer-animated television shows alongside titles like VeggieTales and ReBoot. The series earned 30 accolades, notably securing a 1994 Emmy Award in the "Children and Young People" category.

In 2023, Piko Interactive obtained the show's rights.

Production and dubbing

Established in 1985 by Renato, Georges Lacroix, and Jean-Yves Grall, Fantôme had earlier produced Les fables géométriques (Geometric Fables), recognized as the first computer-animated TV series. Renato envisioned Insektors in 1991 as a more complex venture featuring a serious narrative and expanded scope. A pilot episode along with a behind-the-scenes documentary were released in 1992.

Upon recommendation from animation studio Ellipse Programme, where he contributed to a 1991 adaptation of The Adventures of Tintin, scriptwriter Eric Rondeaux was hired. Later, Marc Perrier and Veronique Herbaut joined the writing team. The animation process utilized Silicon Graphics technology, following a rigorous schedule aiming for two to five seconds of animation per animator each day. For the second season, Canal+, having acquired a motion capture production firm, incorporated motion capture techniques into production.

The show consists of two seasons with 13 episodes each plus special editions, including a Christmas special aired in 1996. Two English dubs were created: one for North America recorded in Paris and broadcast on Canadian channel YTV, and another tailored for the UK audience featuring rewritten scripts, altered character names, and culturally adapted humor.

Setting

The narrative unfolds on the planet Karbon/Krud; however, the UK version references Earth locations. In "Planet Karbon/The Black Planet," Karbon/Krud was initially a bleak, colorless rock inhabited solely by an insect species called the Yuks/Kruds who survived by mining coal underground. A Prism-shaped meteorite impacted the planet, turning its landing zone into a lush, flower-filled haven. Some Yuks/Kruds settled this new area, evolving vibrant colors and renaming themselves Joyces/Verigreens. They worshipped the Prism and constructed an altar atop it. Those who continued mining coal eventually exhausted their resources. Tensions escalated when King Bakrako/Katheter I suggested using the Joyces'/Verigreens' flower stalks as fuel, igniting hostility between these once united groups.

Characters

French names appear first, followed by British equivalents in brackets; North American versions are listed after slashes.

Joyces

The Joyces (called Verigreens) are brightly colored, joyful insects descending from the original Yuk/Krud population that split after the Great Prism's arrival created Flower City. Their focus lies in celebration and safeguarding the Prism. Non-central Joyce citizens resemble bees.

Fulgor (Flynn)

Original voice: Daniel Lafourcade

David Gasman (US dub)

Teddy Kempner (UK dub)

A walking stick insect born among the Yuk/Kruds but raised by the Joyces/Verigreens. Equipped with the Kolour Guitar/Musical Colour Gun—an electric guitar that shoots colorful pollen blasts—he is the brave yet occasionally impulsive defender against the Yuks/Kruds.

Aelia (Alex)

Original voice: Raphaële Moutier

Karen Strassman (US dub)

Caroline Bliss (UK dub)

A butterfly who is daughter to the Joyce/Verigreen leader and Fulgor/Flynn’s adoptive sister. She tends to the Great Prism and assists her father’s scientific endeavors. She harbors romantic feelings toward Acylius/Max.

Le Grand Artificier/The Great Pyro (Godfrey)

Original Voice: Christian Alers

Christian Erickson (US dub)

Andy Secombe (UK dub)

An eccentric butterfly who leads the Joyces/Verigreens; biological father of Aelia/Alex and adoptive father of Fulgor/Flynn. He combines scientific expertise with mysticism.

Daltonio (Bentley)

A greenfly serving as chief assistant to the Great Pyro/Godfrey; enthusiastic about colorful celebrations but unable to distinguish blue and red due to color blindness.

Gallopus (Peg)

A mechanical horse-like robot engineered by Eurekas/Magus, acting as Fulgor's/Flynn's mount and trusted companion; communicates via honking and squeaking sounds. In the UK version, Peg is portrayed as female.

Spotty (Elmo)

A small flying device resembling Gallopus/Peg but equipped with a large spotlight embedded in its body for illumination purposes.

Beurks/Yuks

Beurks/Yuks (known as Kruds) are single-colored insects dwelling within a decaying tree stump located in a swamp. They are continuously striving to seize control of Flower City due to its supply of flower-based fuel. Contact with vividly colored substances provokes uncontrollable laughter among them. The non-central Yuk soldiers bear resemblance to crickets, while the non-central civilians look like beetles.

Reine/Queen Bakrakra (Queen Katheter III)

Original voice: Lucienne Troka

Andy Secombe (UK dub)

A praying mantis who rules the Yuks/Kruds with an iron fist, descended from the despotic King Bakrakro/Katheter the First. Her cold disposition necessitates constant warmth from a large furnace.

Prince Acylius (Prince Maximillian)

Original voice: Alexandre Gillet

Voiced by: Teddy Kempner (UK dub)

The mantis heir apparent to the Yuk/Krud throne and son of Queen Bakrakra/Katheter, he harbors romantic feelings for Aelia/Alex. Unlike his peers, he values flowers.

Lord Krabo (Lord Draffsack)

Original voice: Daniel Lafourcade

Paul Bandey (US dub)

Neil McCaul (UK dub)

A cockroach who acts as the ambitious, self-centered, and cowardly Prime Minister of the Yuks/Kruds.

Lord Teknocratus (Lord Synapse)

Voiced by: Neil McCaul (UK dub)

A weevil serving as chief engineer, tasked with designing gadgets to advance Yuk/Krud objectives or counteract Joyce/Verigreen defenses. Often held responsible by Krabo/Draffsack for any failures.

Lord Kretinus (Corporal Fugg)

Original voice: Jean-Claude Sachot

David Gasman (US dub)

Andy Secombe (UK dub)

A weevil who functions as the awkward assistant to both Lord Krabo/Draffsack and General Lukanus/Wasabi, eager to gain favor from his superiors.

General Lukanus (General Wasabi)

Original voice: Jean-Claude Sachot

Edward Marcus (US dub)

Neil McCaul (UK dub)

A stag beetle commanding the Yuk/Krud military forces, implementing strategies devised by Krabo/Draffsack and Teknocratus/Synapse, with primary allegiance to Queen Bakrakra/Katheter.

Captain Krabouic and Lieutenant Kaboche (Captain Roderick Drumsturdy and Corporal Stanley Greeb)

Twin leaders of security forces, test pilots, and commandos; Krabouic/Drumsturdy is taller and more assertive, whereas Kaboche/Greeb is shorter and more reserved.

The Guards (The Methane Brothers)

Two rhinoceros beetles assigned to guard the entrance of the Yuk/Krud fortress; they are slow-thinking, easily distracted, and display eccentric behavior.

Eric

A rhinoceros beetle who serves as a prison warden within Yuk/Krud City.

Protokol (Kopius)

Original voice: Christian Alers

David Gasman (US dub)

Teddy Kempner (UK dub)

A cockchafer herald responsible for announcing characters’ arrivals with sarcastic commentary aimed at his superiors.

Eurekas (Magus)

A walking stick introduced late in the first season; biological father of Fulgor/Flynn and former colleague and predecessor of Teknocratus/Synapse.

Technology

French names appear first, followed by British equivalents in brackets; alternate North American names are shown after slashes.

Joyces

The Great Prism (The Great Prism)

A luminous multicolored cube that powers Flower City, home to the Joyces/Verigreens. It seems to be a living entity capable of vocal communication and displaying images. It relies on nectar sourced from a water plant located in Yuk/Krud territory and can cease operation if neglected.

Kolour Guitar (Musical Colour Gun)

A portable instrument used by Fulgor/Flynn that emits blasts of colored pollen when its strings are aggressively strummed. While these bursts have no effect on Joyces/Verigreens, they cause laughter among most Yuks/Kruds, except for certain resistant individuals.

Dragonfly Squadron

Mechanical dragonflies serving as the primary defense unit for the Joyces, equipped to fire pollen blasts similar to those produced by the Kolour Guitar.

Flower Konnons

New weaponry introduced in "No Presents for Khristmas," functioning similarly to the Kolour Guitar’s pollen blasts.

Kolour Dynamites

Vibrantly colored explosives deployed by Fulgor/Flynn designed to disrupt Yuks/Kruds during their flower harvesting operations, resulting in laughter and confusion.

Yuks

The Hotsy Totsy (Hypertherm)

A heating device that keeps the queen warm, energizes The Dark Box, and helps avoid flooding during flower harvesting by Yuks/Kruds.

The Dark Box (Krud'o'Pod)

Equipment that counteracts the Kolour Guitar's influence on Yuks/Kruds. Lord Krabo suggests it might transform Joyces into Yuks. It plays a significant role in "Ruling Classes".

Hoverbikes (Bikes/Krudmobile)

Mainly utilized by Krabouic/Drumsturdy and Kaboche/Greeb to facilitate movement.

Kreatur

A versatile robot assisting engineer Teknocratus, functioning as an elevator, welder, and electro-mechanical helper with limited intelligence.

Kat-Kat

A rugged all-terrain vehicle built for transporting troops and conducting invasions into Joyce territories across deserts, mountains, and wetlands.

Koa (Frogbuckets)

Amphibious combat machines resembling frogs, used as heavy fighters and resource gatherers. Operated by two pilots, their hulls resist Joyce pollen attacks. Officially named 'Hydroscopic Amphibious Personal Relocation Units'.

The Koleopter (The Hovermower)

A flying beetle-like craft piloted by two individuals for airborne resource collection, equipped with defensive 'Fightermites'. It trims flower stems and harvests nectar, formally called 'Anti-Gravity Daffodil Collector'.

Sky Breaker (Cloud Clearer)

A large-scale laser cannon intended to cause drought but unexpectedly produced snow during trials. It was destroyed by Krabo/Draffsack following malfunction. A hybrid variant nearly devastated The Flower City.

"Tweet-Tweet" (Chicken)

An avian-shaped aerial war machine deployed to capture The Great Prism. Various models evolved from propeller-driven to jet-powered before achieving success. Appears in multiple episodes including "If Chickens Could Fly" and "No Presents for Khristmas".

"Kalkulator" (Sparky)

A supercomputer created by Synapse that automated defenses in Krud cities and controlled lumberjacks but was eventually dismantled after system corruption led to chaos.

"Auto-mated lumberjacks"

Resilient machines managed by Sparky that aggressively harvested flowers and targeted Verigreen technology using color recognition. They were only neutralized following Sparky's collapse but remained partially active during raids.

Koal Juice Guns

Weapons used by Yuks similar to the Kolour Guitar; their koal juice induces depression in Joyces but leaves Yuks unaffected. Commonly mounted on Yuk soldiers and vehicles.

Vokalizers

Communication devices resembling walkie-talkies employed by Yuks/Kruds when vocal capabilities were impaired; featured in select episodes as aids or prototypes.

VHS/DVDs

Title	Description	Region
Insektors: The Musical Colour Gun and Other Adventures	Includes episodes such as "The Musical Colour Gun", "Flowers for Katheter", "Frogbucket", among others. Contains information about The Verigreens and their technology. Produced in the UK.	2
Insektors: The Mechanical Digger and Other Adventures	Features episodes including "The Mechanical Digger", "The Prince of Rock", "The Weather Forecast", plus details on The Kruds and their technology. UK production.	2
Insektors: Krud Confession and Other Adventures	Contains episodes like "Krud Confession", "Sick at Heart", "If Chickens Could Fly", with insights into The Kruds' technology. Made in the UK.	2
Insektors: Accused and Other Adventures	Episodes include "Accused", "Epidemic", "The Cure", along with information about The Verigreens' technology. UK release.	2
Insektors: Bumper Special	A compilation featuring episodes such as "The Musical Colour Gun" and "The Mechanical Digger". Includes profiles of characters like Flynn, Draffsack, and Alex.	2
Insektors: Krud Kaper	Episodes include "The Musical Colour Gun" and "If Chickens Could Fly". UK production.	2
Insektors: The Kolour Guitar	Features episodes like "The Kolour Guitar" and "Daffodil Kraze". Produced in Australia.	2
Insektors: The Eskape	Includes episodes such as "The Eskape" and "Planet Karbon". Australian release.	2
Insektors Vol. 1	French-only VHS containing episodes like "La guitare à kouleurs" and "Au feu les jonKilles".	2
Insektors Vol. 2	French-only VHS featuring episodes such as "Eskapade" and "Les Detrakeurs du Ciel".	2
Insektors Vol. 3	French-only VHS including episodes like "La Nuit Elektrik" and "Kui-Kui".	2
Insektors DVD Vol. 3	French-only DVD containing episodes such as "Le Kadeau" plus a Christmas special, along with behind-the-scenes content and features on characters and inventions.	2

French version

• Christian Alers
• Daniel Lafourcade
• Pierre Baton
• Jacques Brunnet
• Alexandre Gillet
• Raphaelle Moutier
• Jean-Claude Sachot
• Lucienne Troka

CA/AU version

• David Gasman
• Karen Strassman
• Christian Erickson
• Bela Grushka
• Edouard Marcus
• Paul Bandey

UK version

• Teddy Kempner
• Caroline Bliss
• Andy Secombe
• Neil McCaul