Tupu (TV series)
| Company type | Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation |
| Headquarters | Canada , Canada |
| Products | Animated television series (including Tupu) |
Tupu is a 2D animated television series produced jointly by the French company Xilam and the Canadian studio Tooncan, under the direction of Xavier Giacometti. The narrative revolves around Norton, the son of New York City's mayor, and a red-haired girl named Tupu, as they embark on adventures throughout Central Park. The show consists of a single season with twenty-six episodes. It gained international recognition and was dubbed into several languages, including Hebrew, Arabic, Turkish, Russian, German, and Dutch.
At present, the series is seldom broadcast, with many countries having relinquished their airing rights. In Australia, ABC aired the program only four times and currently has no intentions to renew these rights. In France, Gulli discontinued the show after episode 14 in 2021. Similarly, Germany’s KiKa ceased airing the series following episode 14 back in 2013.
DVD editions have been released exclusively in the Netherlands; there are no announced plans for distribution in other territories. ABC no longer retains DVD distribution rights. Although an official Facebook page was established in May 2013, it remains inactive concerning updates about broadcasts or DVD availability.
Overview
The story focuses on Tupu, a semi-feral girl reminiscent of Mowgli, who resides in Central Park alongside her squirrel companion Whatzup and interacts with various zoo animals. Norton, coming from an affluent family, frequently visits her in the park. Shoobert Shoobz, the park’s warden, persistently attempts to substantiate Tupu’s existence but repeatedly fails, leading others to doubt his assertions.
Tupu
A barefoot wild child raised within Central Park, living inside a large oak tree. She communicates with animals and consistently evades capture by Shoobz. Tupu stands firmly against cruelty toward animals and environmental harm. Her constant companion is Whatzup, a squirrel. Only Norton and Shoobz are aware of her true identity; to others, she appears as an ordinary New York girl. Her family background is never disclosed.
Norton
A lively boy whose father serves as New York City’s mayor and who is Tupu’s closest friend. He dreams of becoming an adventurer like his parents. The relationship between Norton and Tupu is close-knit and occasionally portrayed as romantic.
Whatzup
Tupu’s loyal animal friend, a reddish European squirrel inhabiting Central Park with her. Whatzup assists Tupu during challenging situations and sometimes requires rescue himself.
Schubert
Commonly called Shoobz, he is Central Park's caretaker devoted to capturing Tupu to prove she exists. He resides with his overbearing mother.
Cast
| Character | French | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tupu | Lynda Harchaoui | Bailey Stocker |
| Schubert Schoops | Gérard Surugue | John Stocker |
| Norton | Pierre Casanova | Rick Jones |
| Norton's mother | Véronique Augereau | Sonja Ball |
| Miss Milleborne | Cathy Cerda | |
| Malcolm | Maël Davan-Soulas | |
| Mayor Bordon | Pierre-François Pistorio | |
| John | Brigitte Lecordier | |
| Benny | Christophe Lemoine | |
| Eddy | Christophe Lemoine |
Episodes
{{Episode table |background=#FFA700 |overall= |title= |writer=| Aux2= |Aux2T=Storyboard by|airdate= |altdate= |altdateT=U.S. air date |episodes=
{{Episode list | EpisodeNumber=8 | Title=Straight Down the Metal | AltTitle=La règle du jeu
| WrittenBy=Rob Hoegee
Johanna Stein
| Aux2=Dorothée Robert and Luc Blanchard |}
Note: The Australian Broadcasting Company did not broadcast episodes following their original sequence; this order reflects the French version's release. ABC repeated several episodes more than once while three episodes were broadcast only a single time.
DVD distribution and petition efforts
In the Netherlands, Tupu was made available on DVD in three separate sets: the initial two volumes each contained four episodes, while the third included five, collectively representing half of the entire series. These DVDs, authorized by ZDF and distributed by Bright Vision Entertainment, offer solely a Dutch language track. Notably, one episode mistakenly features the audio from the first episode repeated. An online petition aimed at expanding the DVD release did not achieve its target of 10,000 signatures.
Global television airings
| Country | Network | Broadcast Period |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Flagcountry | France 3 | 2004–2005 |
| Template:Flagcountry | Gulli | 2004–2012 |
| Template:Flagcountry | Disney Channel France | 2005–2006 |
| Template:Flagcountry | Super Écran | 2005–2007 |
| Template:Flagcountry | ABC Kids | 2005–2008 (including reruns; broadcasting rights subsequently lost) |
| Template:Flagcountry | POP! | 2006–2007 |
| Template:Flagcountry | ZDF | 2006–present (last shown in 2013; scheduling continues) |
| Template:Flagcountry | KiKa | 2006–present |
| Template:Flagcountry | Logi | 2008–present |
| Template:Flagcountry | Rai 3 | 2006 |
| Template:Flagcountry | Z@PP | 2006 (Dutch DVD release; includes first twelve episodes except "The Kangaroo" due to dubbing mistake) |