''Animal Mechanicals'' () is a Canadian animated preschool children’s television series created by Jeff Rosen. Produced by Halifax Film, in association with the

CBC CBC may refer to: Media * Cadena Baja California or Grupo Cadena, a radio and television broadcaster in Mexico * Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Canada's radio and television public broadcaster ** CBC Television ** CBC Radio One ** CBC Music ** ...

and distributed by

Decode Entertainment WildBrain Studios is the in-house television studio arm of Canadian entertainment company WildBrain based in Vancouver, British Columbia, which was established in 2016 as DHX Studios. History In January 2016, DHX Media announced that they woul ...

, the series premiered in Canada on

CBC Television CBC Television (also known as CBC TV, or simply CBC) is a Television in Canada, Canadian English-language terrestrial television, broadcast television network owned by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, the national public broadcasting, p ...

as part of the Kids' CBC on September 1, 2008 and ended on January 26, 2011. In the United States, it premiered on

The Hub The Hub may refer to: Places * The Hub, Bronx, an area of the South Bronx, New York, known for its convergence of subway and bus lines * The Hub (Edinburgh), former church in Edinburgh that is now home to the Edinburgh International Festival * T ...

on October 11, 2010. The French-Canadian version of ''Animal Mechanicals'' is called; ''Les Super Mécanimaux''; it aired on the French-language free-to-air television network

Ici Radio-Canada Télé Ici Radio-Canada Télé (stylized as ICI Radio-Canada Télé, and sometimes abbreviated as Ici Télé) is a Television in Canada, Canadian Canadian French, French-language terrestrial television, free-to-air television network owned by the Can ...

; starring French-Canadian voice actors Nicolas Charbonneaux-Collombet as Rex, Éveline Gélinas as Unicorn/Licorne, François Caffiaux as Komodo, Catherine Brunet as Mouse/Petite Souris, Denis Roy as Sasquatch, and Marika Lhoumeau as Island Owl/Petite chouette de l'île."That's a Wrap" Film Nova Scotia, Production Catalogue 2007–2008, p. 18.
Retrieved 2012-06-16. In 2019, the series was revived through the release of new nonverbal webshorts produced by

WildBrain Spark WildBrain Family International Limited, operating as WildBrain London (formerly WildBrain and WildBrain Spark), is a British multi-channel network owned by Canadian media company WildBrain (formerly DHX Media). It distributes and produces pres ...

Studios, a subsidiary of

WildBrain WildBrain Ltd. is a Canadian media, animation studio, production company, production, and brand licensing company, mostly associated as an entertainment company. The company is known for owning the largest independent library of Children's tel ...

that produces original content for the

network. Alexander Tol provides the occasional vocal noises for the male characters, while the females are performed by Rae Reilly. A common trope in the show is putting Mechana- in front of a lot of words.

Characters

* Rex (voiced by Jim Fowler) is a green Mechana-

tyrannosaurus ''Tyrannosaurus'' () is a genus of large theropod dinosaur. The type species ''Tyrannosaurus rex'' ( meaning 'king' in Latin), often shortened to ''T. rex'' or colloquially t-rex, is one of the best represented theropods. It lived througho ...

. His ability is Mechana-Strong. Often, when utilizing this ability, Unicorn refers to him as being "strong like a titanium Tyrannosaurus" which, with his name and bipedal shape, would indicate that he is a robotic ''Tyrannosaurus rex''. He is the leader of the Animal Mechanicals when they are on their journey to their mission. When he transforms, he becomes a cross between a

truck A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport freight, carry specialized payloads, or perform other utilitarian work. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, but the vast majority feature body-on-frame construct ...

, a

forklift A forklift (also called industrial truck, lift truck, jitney, hi-lo, fork truck, fork hoist, and forklift truck) is a powered industrial truck used to lift and move materials over short distances. The forklift was developed in the early 20th c ...

, a

tractor A tractor is an engineering vehicle specifically designed to deliver a high tractive effort (or torque) at slow speeds, for the purposes of hauling a Trailer (vehicle), trailer or machinery such as that used in agriculture, mining or constructio ...

, and a digger. He also has an obsession with food. * Unicorn (voiced by Leah Ostry) is a pink Mechana-

unicorn The unicorn is a legendary creature that has been described since Classical antiquity, antiquity as a beast with a single large, pointed, spiraling horn (anatomy), horn projecting from its forehead. In European literature and art, the unico ...

. Her ability is Mechana-Fly, which is when she appears two wings on her back and her hooves turn into rocket boosters. The horn on her head can be made to blink like a beacon, allowing other creatures to follow her while she is flying. It can also do magic, make a whirlwind, throw lightning and light up. When flying, her legs are bent backwards and her hooves become rocket boosters, propelling her through the air. Her wings are folded inside her back, except when in use, where they provide direction and speed control. She is the only Animal Mechanical who does not walk on two legs. She is the Animal Mechanical used in the most episodes, with 51 in total. * Komodo (voiced by Shannon Lynch) is a red Mechana-

Komodo dragon The Komodo dragon (''Varanus komodoensis''), also known as the Komodo monitor, is a large reptile of the monitor lizard family Varanidae that is endemic to the Indonesian islands of Komodo (island), Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Dasami, and Gili ...

who walks on two legs and wears big blue, squared

glasses Glasses, also known as eyeglasses (American English), spectacles (Commonwealth English), or colloquially as specs, are vision eyewear with clear or tinted lenses mounted in a frame that holds them in front of a person's eyes, typically u ...

. His ability is Mechana-Gizmo. He can change his tail into a selection of tools and gadgets, such as a

wrench A wrench or spanner is a tool used to provide grip and mechanical advantage in applying torque to turn objects—usually rotary fasteners, such as nuts and bolts—or keep them from turning. In the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand ...

, a

saw A saw is a tool consisting of a tough blade, Wire saw, wire, or Chainsaw, chain with a hard toothed edge used to cut through material. Various terms are used to describe toothed and abrasive saws. Saws began as serrated materials, and when man ...

, a

hammer A hammer is a tool, most often a hand tool, consisting of a weighted "head" fixed to a long handle that is swung to deliver an impact to a small area of an object. This can be, for example, to drive nail (fastener), nails into wood, to sh ...

, a

screwdriver A screwdriver is a tool, manual or powered, used for turning screws. Description A typical simple screwdriver has a handle and a shaft, ending in a tip the user puts into the screw head before turning the handle. This form of the screwdriver ...

pickaxe A pickaxe, pick-axe, or pick is a generally T-shaped hand tool used for Leverage (mechanics), prying. Its head is typically metal, attached perpendicularly to a longer handle, traditionally made of wood, occasionally metal, and increasingly ...

. a

tuning fork A tuning fork is an acoustic resonator in the form of a two-pronged fork with the prongs ( ''tines'') formed from a U-shaped bar of elastic metal (usually steel). It resonates at a specific constant pitch when set vibrating by striking it ag ...

, a

brush A brush is a common tool with bristles, wire or other filaments. It generally consists of a handle or block to which filaments are affixed in either a parallel or perpendicular orientation, depending on the way the brush is to be gripped during u ...

and a

spatula A spatula is a broad, flat, flexible blade used to mix, spread and lift material including foods, drugs, plaster and paints. In medical applications, "spatula" may also be used synonymously with tongue depressor. The word ''spatula'' derives ...

Often, when utilizing this ability, Unicorn either says "handy dandy tool time." or "tool time is cool time." whenever he's doing his work This does, however, involve him working backwards to the line of the problem, forcing him to almost bend backwards in order to see what he is doing. He is shown to be very smart, often figuring out the small details of the problem in hand. He tends to act like a martial arts expert. In a few episodes, he reveals that he has a sensitive stomach and legs. He often has to warn Sasquatch about "traps", and often gets hit by said "trap", then Sasquatch repeats what Komodo said before Komodo got hit then Komodo says "Why didn't I think of that?" or "You don't say." Including various other lines. and is the only Animal Mechanical to have more than one stock footage sequence. As a running gag for whenever he uses his powers, something random would be picked by mistake, including a

disguise A disguise can be anything incognito which conceals one's identity or changes a person's physical appearance, including a wig, glasses, makeup, fake moustache, costume or other items. Camouflage is a type of disguise for people, animals and o ...

, a

rubber duck A rubber duck, or a rubber duckie, is a toy shaped like a duck, that is usually yellow with a flat base. It may be made of rubber or rubber-like material such as vinyl plastic. Rubber ducks were invented in the late 19th century when it became ...

, a

submarine sandwich A submarine sandwich, commonly known as a sub, is a type of American cold or hot sandwich made from a submarine roll (an elongated bread roll) that is split lengthwise and filled with meats, cheeses, vegetables, and condiments. Although "subma ...

, a noisemaker, a

teddy bear A teddy bear, or simply a teddy, is a stuffed toy in the form of a bear. The teddy bear was named by Morris Michtom after the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt; it was developed apparently simultaneously in the first deca ...

and

underwear Underwear, underclothing, or undergarments are items of clothing worn beneath outer clothes, usually in direct contact with the skin, although they may comprise more than a single layer. They serve to keep outer clothing from being soiled ...

among others. * Mouse (voiced by Abigail Gordon) is a yellow Mechana-

mouse A mouse (: mice) is a small rodent. Characteristically, mice are known to have a pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail, and a high breeding rate. The best known mouse species is the common house mouse (''Mus musculus'' ...

who is the youngest in the group and runs about on two pumps instead of her back feet. Her ability is Mechana-Fast, which is increased by lying flat, with her front paws on the ground, which also have wheels on them, and flattening her ears to the side of her head and extending exhaust pipes which help to propel her forwards. Her ears act like

satellite dish A satellite dish is a dish-shaped type of parabolic antenna designed to receive or transmit information by radio waves to or from a communication satellite. The term most commonly means a dish which receives direct-broadcast satellite televisio ...

es to catch sounds. For some reason, she laughs and giggles before Sasquatch transforms and can fit in tight places her friends cannot. Whenever Sasquatch is afraid or impatient, she always comes to hold his hand. But when she is scared, Sasquatch is always there to hold her hand. She also has the ability to understand creatures. * Sasquatch (voiced by Ian MacDougall) is a blue Mechana-

Bigfoot Bigfoot (), also commonly referred to as Sasquatch (), is a large, hairy Mythic humanoids, mythical creature said to inhabit forests in North America, particularly in the Pacific Northwest.Example definitions include: *"A large, hairy, manlike ...

. His ability is Mechana-Stretchy. Each of his limbs extend to an incredible length. When stretched, his arms and legs are long, however his joints do not alter and bend as usual. In the episode, "Baboon Balloon Island", it was stated that he is allergic to air pears and in this same episode and "Mechana Skee Ball Island", he has anxiety and a fear of heights. He has referred to himself several times as the ''Mighty Sasquatch''. Whenever Sasquatch is scared, Mouse always comes to hold his hand (as seen in "Jigsaw Shark Puzzle" and "Chugboat Island"), but whenever he's scared or impatient (as seen in "Dino Mountain Island" and "Snail's Pace Race"), Mouse always comes to hold his hand. Sasquatch often disrespects Komodo's warnings. He is also revealed to be acrophobic in "Dino Mountain Island". * Island Owl (voiced by

Lenore Zann Lenore Zann (born November 22, 1959) is a Canadian actress and politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the riding of Cumberland—Colchester in the House of Commons of Canada as a member of the Liberal Party. Before ent ...

) is a red Mechana-

owl Owls are birds from the order Strigiformes (), which includes over 200 species of mostly solitary and nocturnal birds of prey typified by an upright stance, a large, broad head, binocular vision, binaural hearing, sharp talons, and feathers a ...

and the team's commander that only appears at the beginning of each episode, giving the team's their mission. Her head resembles a

television set A television set or television receiver (more commonly called TV, TV set, television, telly, or tele) is an electronic device for viewing and hearing television broadcasts, or as a computer monitor. It combines a tuner, display, and loudspeake ...

, which begins briefly showing her face, then changes to show a representation of the island to which the Animal Mechanicals are to be sent. She does not accompany the Animal Mechanicals, after they have left to go on their mission as she is not heard from or seen again and looks after the Animal Mechanicals' home; however she is mentioned by Komodo whenever someone breaks a rule.

Episodes

Broadcast

The show is broadcast in Canada on

in the Kids' CBC programming block, weekdays at 7:30 am. It was also broadcast on

Playhouse Disney Playhouse Disney was a brand of programming blocks and international cable and satellite television channels that were owned by the Disney Channels Worldwide unit (now Disney Branded Television) of The Walt Disney Company's Disney–ABC Tele ...

, later

Disney Junior Disney Jr. (formerly Disney Junior) is an American pay television network owned by the Disney Branded Television sub-division of the Disney Entertainment business segment of the Walt Disney Company. Aimed mainly at children two to seven year ...

in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Northwestern Europe, off the coast of European mainland, the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

and

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

. In

Latin America Latin America is the cultural region of the Americas where Romance languages are predominantly spoken, primarily Spanish language, Spanish and Portuguese language, Portuguese. Latin America is defined according to cultural identity, not geogr ...

, it was broadcast in

Discovery Kids Discovery Kids, stylized as discovery k!ds, is a brand name owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Starting as a television block within Discovery Channel, the brand expanded as a separate television channel in October 1996. Discovery Kids on NBC was ...

and

Discovery Familia Discovery Familia is an American Spanish-language family-oriented specialty television channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. It launched on November 1, 2007, after Discovery Communications merged its pre-existing Spanish-language channels, D ...

on January 19, 2009 until early 2013, the digital cable channels owned by

Discovery Networks Discovery, Inc. was an American multinational mass media factual television conglomerate based in New York City. Established in 1982, the company operated a group of factual and lifestyle television brands, such as the namesake Discovery Chan ...

, and

Discovery, Inc. Discovery, Inc. was an American multinational mass media factual television conglomerate based in New York City. Established in 1982, the company operated a group of factual and lifestyle television brands, such as the namesake Discovery Chan ...

, in a

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many countries in the Americas **Spanish cuisine **Spanish history **Spanish culture ...

or Portuguese (in

Brazil Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...

) dubbed version and are called ''Mecanimales'' (Spanish) or ''Mecanimais'' (Portuguese). It is dubbed in Irish on Cúla 4 ná nóg, the children's portion of

TG4 TG4 (; , ) is an Irish free-to-air public service television channel. It launched on 31 October 1996 and is available online and through its on-demand service TG4 Player in Ireland and beyond. TG4 was initially known as (TnaG), before bein ...

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

. The series premiered in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

on October 11, 2010 on

. In

Israel Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in West Asia. It Borders of Israel, shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south-west, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. Isr ...

, it was broadcast on Hop! Channel in 2011, in a

Hebrew Hebrew (; ''ʿÎbrit'') is a Northwest Semitic languages, Northwest Semitic language within the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family. A regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, it was natively spoken by the Israelites and ...

-dubbed version. In the

Arab world The Arab world ( '), formally the Arab homeland ( '), also known as the Arab nation ( '), the Arabsphere, or the Arab states, comprises a large group of countries, mainly located in West Asia and North Africa. While the majority of people in ...

it was broadcast on Baraem in 2009, in an

Arabic Arabic (, , or , ) is a Central Semitic languages, Central Semitic language of the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family spoken primarily in the Arab world. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) assigns lang ...

-dubbed version.

References

External links