Super 4 (2014 TV series)
| Company type | Animated television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation, Entertainment |
| Founded | 2014 |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Animated television series |
| Parent | Method Animation, Morgen Studios |
Super 4 is an animated television series produced through a French-German collaboration, introduced in 2014 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Playmobil toy line that inspired it. The narrative centers on a group of heroes who safeguard the varied domains of Kingsland, the Enchanted Island, and Technopolis from numerous dangers.
The series is a joint production by Method Animation and Morgen Studios, with involvement from France Télévisions and Cartoon Network Italy during its first season, as well as Turner Broadcasting System Italy (Season 1) and SOFITVCINE 3 (Season 2). Animation duties were handled by Vision Globale for Season 1 and by DQ Entertainment for Season 2.
Originally broadcast in French starting August 2014, the show was subsequently dubbed into English. It has been aired worldwide on networks such as CITV in the United Kingdom, Minimax TV across Central Europe, and in the United States through the syndicated KidsClick programming block on stations owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group.
Synopsis
The storyline of Super 4 merges several distinct Playmobil toy universes—including those of fairies, pirates, medieval knights, scientists, robots, dinosaurs, and aliens—portrayed as neighboring islands within a shared oceanic world.
The core "Super 4" team is composed of Alex, a prince from medieval Kingsland; Ruby, a daring pirate; Twinkle, a lively fairy; and Gene, a scientist. They are accompanied by Alien, a mascot resembling a rabbit. Each member has been exiled from their respective realms, coming together to undertake adventures, confront antagonists, and defend their territories.
At the outset, the team functions as explorers traveling in Gene's transforming vehicle known as the Chameleon, with each episode presenting standalone stories. Their backstories are unveiled through four-part arcs: Ruby Queen of the Seas chronicles Ruby's escape from Gunpowder Island after being told that piracy is not for girls; Gene Techno Explorer details Gene’s departure from Technopolis to discover life beyond its confines; and Origins explores Alex’s decision to leave Kingsland due to restrictive schooling and his meeting with Alien and Twinkle—who themselves fled the Enchanted Island after turning the Fairy Queen into a frog.
The heroes
| English Name | World | English Voice | German Voice | French Name | French Voice | Persona |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex (Prince Alexander) | Kingsland | Billy Bob Thompson | Jannik Endemann | Alex (prince Alexandre) | Damien Ferrette | A noble knight and heir apparent. |
| Gene (Agent Gene 120452) | Technopolis | Jordan Carlos (Season 1) Kevin T. Collins (Season 2) |
Rasmus Borowski | Gene | Franck Lorrain | A pragmatic scientist with a questioning nature. |
| Ruby | Gunpowder Island | Veronica Taylor | - | Ruby | Laetitia Lefebvre | A headstrong young pirate. |
| Twinkle Starglitter | Enchanted Island | Sarah Natochenny | Tanja Dohse | Étincelle | Annouck Hautbois | A cheerful fairy prone to dizziness and unpredictability. |
| Alien | Lost World | uncredited | - | - | - | A mascot character resembling Scooby-Doo who is part of the team. |
Note: The realm known as Kingsland is referred to as "Médiévalia" in the original French version and occasionally in English adaptations.
Additional Characters
| English Name | World | Function | English Voice Actor | French Name | French Voice Actor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King Kendrick | Kingsland | Monarch of Kingsland | Mike Pollock | Roi Kendric | - |
| Princess Leonora | Kingsland | Daughter of the King | Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld | Princesse Léonore | - |
| Wizard Fourchesac | Kingsland | Malevolent sorcerer allied with the Black Baron | Tyler Bunch (credited as H.D. Quinn in Season 2) | - | - |
| Black Baron | Kingsland | The King's sinister adversary | Tom Wayland | Baron Noir | Sébastien Desjours |
| Queen Fairy | Enchanted Island | Sovereign of Enchanted Island transformed into a frog | Veronica Taylor | - | - |
| Grand Fairy | Enchanted Island | Wise elder fairy matriarch | Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld | - | - |
| Baba Cara | Enchanted Island | Malevolent witch figure | Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld | - | - |
| Sharkbeard | Gunpowder Island | Pirate captain | Marc Thompson | Barbe de Requin | Bernard Métreaux |
| Doctor X | Technopolis | Mad scientist and ruler of Technopolis | Jason Griffith (credited as DJ Tanner in Season 2) | Docteur X | Vincent Violette |
| Lenny | Technopolis | Robot assistant to Gene | Jake Paque | - | - |
| Sycronior | Extraterrestrial | Commander of the alien Sycronians (Season 2) | Toby Fielding | - | - |
| Rock Brock | Adventurer with a 4x4 vehicle (Season 2) | Jake Paque | - | - | |
| Agent Franz 6464 | Technopolis | Scientist (Season 2) | Kevin T. Collins | - | - |
Note: Doctor X is occasionally referred to as "Professor X," and the Black Baron is also known by the titles "the Dark Baron" or simply "the Baron."
Episodes
The initial 13 episodes feature an instrumental opening theme, while episodes 14 through 52 introduce a theme song with English lyrics.
Season 1 (2014–2015)
- 1. Cleaning Day
- The Super 4 arrive in Technopolis to fix the Chameleon's stealth system and prevent Sharkbeard from hijacking Doctor X's massive cleaning robot.
- 2. Dragonraiders
- Pirates ride flame-spewing baby pterosaurs attacking King Kendrick’s fortress; Twinkle encourages the defenders despite Alien’s apprehension.
- 3. I'm the King
- Wizard Fourchesac impersonates King Kendrick to command knights and invade Enchanted Island but is thwarted by Alex.
- 4. Gene's Four
- To refuel the Chameleon, the team infiltrates Dr. X's Alpha Tower, facing advanced security unfamiliar to their medieval members.
- 5. MindNet
- Dr. X’s AI seizes control of Technopolis, expelling humans until it fails to answer Twinkle’s question about the beauty of sunrise.
- 6. Princely Wedding
- Under Baba Cara’s spell, Princess Leonora is bewitched into marrying the Baron.
- 7. The Great Gonk
- A monkey enlarged by Twinkle’s wand kidnaps her atop a tower in a homage to King Kong.
- 8. Baby Dragon
- The team stops the Dark Baron from stealing a dragon egg that hatches and bonds with Gene.
- 9. A Colossal Challenge
- The Baron enlarges himself to win a joust but Alex demonstrates that skill surpasses size.
- 10. Go Ruby
- Ruby pilots Gene’s vehicle in a manipulated Technopolis robot race, risking her safety.
- 11. The Song of the Stork
- A failed love potion turns castle residents into lovesick zombies; Ruby seeks help from a real stork.
- 12. Haunted Castle
- Doctor X employs a robotic ghost to steal Kingsland’s largest diamond.
- 13. Tower Trouble
- Mistakenly believing Princess Leonora has been kidnapped, the team attacks the Baron's castle.
- 14. Fog Over Kingsland
- Pirates use fog and ghostly illusions to abduct knights but are outsmarted by the Super 4.
- 15-18. Ruby, Queen of the Seas (Parts 1-4)
- Ruby’s origin story unfolds—from being shipwrecked, training as a knight, to rescuing her adoptive father from pirates.
- 19. Saving Prince Alexander
- Baba Cara kidnaps Alex; the team must steal a golden teapot for his release.
- 20. Convoy of Honour
- The Baron steals a mystical Crystal Sword essential for a royal ceremony.
- 21. Operation Swashbuckler
- Alex teams up with pirates to free the captured Super 4 members.
- 22. Sleeping Buddy
- Twinkle must carry an unconscious Alex to Enchanted Island for magical healing.
- 23. Outlaws of Gravity
- Leadership conflicts among the four coincide with Dr. X's antigravity device threatening Technopolis.
- 24. The Siege
- Fourchesac traps Kingsland’s citizens inside magical tapestries while the team battles to free them amid a castle siege.
- 25. Appetite for Destruction
- Captured by a troll intent on cooking them, the Super 4 face grave danger.
- 26. The Metal Age
- Dr. X creates a robotic medieval world imprisoning Technopolis inhabitants under Queen Robotia’s control.
- 27. Your Wish Is My Command
- An elf grants disastrous wishes after being rescued from Baba Cara’s captivity.
- 28. The Golden Wand
- Twinkle competes in a magic contest aiming to restore the fairy queen but instead faces vengeance.
- 29. The Final Countdown
- Alex repeatedly time-travels to prevent Sharkbeard from destroying Gunpowder Island.
- 30-31. Spell Book in Danger & Turnips and Old Lace
- Twinkle protects magical artifacts and contends with witches who transform visitors into rabbits.
- 32-33. The Silence of the Statues & The Prophecy
- Magical statues petrify people, and Ruby is crowned queen by an alien tribe demanding sacrifice.
- 34-36. A Pirate's Honour, The White Rabbit & The Goose with the Golden Eggs
- Ruby clears her name from theft allegations, Alex confronts deceptive magic, and Ruby gains a Midas touch exploited by pirates.
- 37-40. Gene, Techno Explorer (Parts 1-4)
- Gene builds an exploration vehicle, escapes Technopolis, discovers magic on Enchanted Island, and rescues scientists frozen under Computer Supreme’s control.
- 41-42. Rage of the Dragon & Negatives
- Ruby transforms into a dragon while evil clones threaten world domination.
- 43-45. All That Glitters, Some Like it Magical & The Furious Elf
- Ruby pursues pirate treasure, Twinkle seeks magical honey to cure weightlessness, and Baba Cara drains color from Enchanted Island causing fairy despair.
- 46-47. Unicorn Lady & A Robot At the Fairies
- Alex befriends a transformed unicorn, and Clean-O causes havoc at a fairy palace birthday party.
- 48-51. Origins (Parts 1-4)
- After adventures involving rebellion, alien origins, pirate rescues, and saving Lost Island from dinosaurs, the Super 4 unite aboard the Chameleon.
- 52. The Truce
- Villainous alliance threatens fairies until Alien leads Baba Cara into capture.
Season 2 (2017–2018)
The second season was broadcast on CITV during weekday afternoons starting 27 February 2017, and later aired on KidsClick weekday mornings from April 2 until September 21, 2018. Episodes were shown in a non-sequential order, with characters such as Rock Brock appearing prior to their official introduction.
Key episodes include:
- 1. Special Invaders
- The Sycronians take control of Gunpowder Island in search of lava to execute their leader Sycronior's scheme to annihilate Earth.
- 4. Sabotage
- Doctor X and the fairies face off in a Science versus Magic contest, which Baba Cara disrupts to seize the Golden Spellbook.
- 6. Sharkruby
- Ruby vies for leadership of the pirates but is defeated by Sharkbeard, revealing tensions within pirate ranks.
- 11. Flying Shark
- Sharkbeard’s vessel is transformed into an airborne ship equipped with a powerful laser, enabling extensive plundering.
- 15. A Mad Mad World
- When Rock Brock removes the Heart of the World staff, island inhabitants swap identities, with only the Super 4 immune to the effect.
- 25. Superior
- Sycronior abducts representatives from various islands to engineer the ultimate soldier, compelling the Super 4 to uncover its vulnerability.
- 31. Super 3
- Twinkle departs to rejoin the fairies, leaving the team with three members just as a new Sykronian invasion commences.
- 40. Princess Ruby
- Ruby temporarily assumes control of Kingsland but struggles with protocol and political intrigue involving the Black Baron.
- 45. Worlds Apart
- The Sykronians launch simultaneous assaults on multiple islands, exploiting divisions within the Super 4 to advance their agenda.
- 51 & 52. All Together Now Parts 1 & 2
- The heroes explore a fused island landscape dominated by Doctor X’s tower and confront a Sycronian invasion while trapped inside a miniaturized "snow globe," forcing an alliance with former adversaries.
Throughout this season, the storyline grows more intricate, weaving together elements of technology, magic, and political maneuvering across various territories such as Kingsland and Technopolis. Emphasis is placed on character progression and forming strategic partnerships essential for maintaining viewer interest and expanding the franchise.
Reception
Common Sense Media provided a generally favorable assessment of the series, labeling it "an engaging CGI show ... diverse settings and themed characters contribute to enjoyable crossover storylines." They praised the positive role models, stating: "Friendship and shared objectives unite the heroes despite their differing personalities ... they confront villains consistently, often risking themselves for others." However, some female characters were described as occasionally "somewhat lacking in intelligence," alongside a caution that "Super 4 ... also serves as an extended advertisement for Playmobil toys." Additionally, they noted that "parents may find themselves enjoying the series almost as much as their children due to clever writing."
Jamie Greene from Geek Dad remarked, "My children (ages 3 and 6) were captivated by the preview episode," though he echoed concerns regarding gender representation: "Alex the Knight is courageous while Twinkle the Fairy appears rather foolish ... do these portrayals raise any issues?" Nevertheless, he concluded positively: "It's safe to say we will continue watching."
In The Globe and Mail, Kate Taylor compared Playmobil’s approach to gender roles with that of Lego, observing that Playmobil "earns higher marks for challenging sexual stereotypes since its male and female figures can assume various roles," unlike Lego’s more fixed stereotypes. Yet she criticized Playmobil’s decision to develop a television series based on its toy line: "Assigning names and linking Playmobil figures to characters on screen does not enhance children's imaginative play." She added, "It’s unfortunate for those who still believe children should create their own stories."
Playmobil collections
In 2015, Playmobil introduced a variety of sets inspired by the television series:
- Sharkbeard Play Set – Features Sharkbeard. Launched on June 4, 2015.
- Skyjet Play Set – Contains a Technopolis technician figure. Released June 4, 2015.
- Pirate Cave Play Set – Comes with a pirate character. Available from June 4, 2015.
- Black Colossus Play Set – Includes the Black Colossus figure. Debuted June 4, 2015.
- Cleano Robot Play Set – Incorporates Cleano Robot and Sharkbeard figures. Released August 4, 2015.
- Royal Guard Sir Ulf Play Set – Features Royal Guard Sir Ulf. Available August 4, 2015.
- Jousting Ripan Guardian of The Black Baron Play Set – Contains Jousting Ripan, Guardian of the Black Baron, plus a horse. Released August 4, 2015.
- Lost Island with Alien Raptor Play Set – Includes an explorer, raptor, and alien figures. Launched August 4, 2015.
- Doctor X Play Set – Comes with Doctor X. Available August 4, 2015.
- Musical Flower Tower with Twinkle Play Set – Features Twinkle and a Unicorn. Released September 21, 2015.
- Take Along Black Baron's Castle Play Set – Includes three knights, two horses, and the Black Baron figure. Released September 21, 2015.
- Camouflage Pirate Fort Play Set – Contains Ruby and a pirate figure. Launched September 21, 2015.
- Chameleon Command Vehicle Play Set – Comes with Gene. Released September 21, 2015.
- Royal Tribune with Alex Play Set – Features the King, Alex, and a knight figure. Available September 21, 2015.
Additional releases on May 18, 2018 included:
- PLAYMOBIL 9409 Troll with Ruby
- PLAYMOBIL 9410 The Grand Fairy with Twinkle
References