If I had to pick my three favorite cartoons from when I was a kid, they would be “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “DuckTales,” and “Gummi Bears.” When I was a teenager, I badgered my Mom into submission to add Tune Disney to our cable package, specifically so I could get up at three in the morning on school days to watch “Gummi Bears.” I love this show.
In my travels, I’ve initiated conversations about “The Adventures of the Gummi Bears” with a myriad of people and learned that most people haven’t the first clue what I’m talking about. “Do you mean the Care Bears?” they’ll say… no, I don’t mean the “Care Bears” I mean the mother lumping “Gummi Bears.” They’re Dashing and daring, courageous and caring, faithful and friendly, with stories to share… They’re bouncing here and there and EVERYWHERE, high adventure that’s beyond compare, they are the Gummi Bears!
For the uninitiated, the “Gummi Bears” were based loosely on the candy of the same name. That is to say that Michael Eisner’s kid once said “Hey Dad, can I have some gummy bears?” and Michael Eisner said “Sure son… hey… gummy bears… GUMMI BEARS.” And he made a show. That’s exactly where the similarities end. This is not, in fact, a show about chewable heroes made primarily of gelatin. Though, bears do have bone marrow, so they are at least partially gelatin.
Instead, the “Gummi Bears” are a mystical race of sentient bears that once held vast knowledge and technology but have since all but disappeared. The only known remnants of this once noble race of cuddly critters are the inhabitants of Gummy Glen.
Zummi Gummi: A wizard with verbal dyslexia. He often mixes up words causing unforeseen problems with the powerful magic he’s wielding. Perhaps this power would be better held by someone who can get a sentence out correctly but we must play the hand we’re dealt.
Sunni Gummi: the stereotypical teenage girl bear.
Grammi Gummi: the loving and loveable matriarch.
Tummi Gummi: As his name suggests, he likes to eat. Anything. He’s not very smart but you can’t help but love him.
Cubbi Gummi: the youngest of the Gummis, he wants nothing more than to be a knight and to have adventures.
Gruffi Gummy: if the gummi’s were dwarves, he’d be Grumpy. Gruffi may be a curmudgeon but he’s got know how and problem solving skills that are often integral to the success of the group.
Gusto Gummi: he comes later, not a member of the original family. He’s an artist.
Gummy Glen resides within Dunwyn forest. The forest is frequented by animals, the kingdom of Dunwyn, and an army of ogres led by Duke Igthorn. There are other villains and characters but these are the central players.
Dunywn castle is led by King Gregor, father of Princess Calla. Calla is friends with Cavin, a squire who also wants to be knight, he and Cubbi become fast friends, while Calla bonds with Sunni.
The castle and the Gummis are under constant threat from Duke Igthorn and his ogres, an army of dunce level buffoons, save for Toadwart (Toadie) who is the shortest and smartest of the ogres. Though being the smartest ogre is tantamount to being the brightest black crayon.
The Gummis try their best to keep to themselves, hiding their existence from both humans and ogres but when a great Gummi medallion appears, the chance at finding the great lost Gummis and reuniting with their kind proves too delicious a carrot, they must make alliances with Cavin and Calla in an attempt to find the truth about themselves.
It’s Game of Thrones for kids, minus all the death and sex, and with more sentient teddy bears.
As I know that one episode won’t be enough, I’ve included the entire first season for you below. Enjoy.