''Bernard'', known as ''Backkom'' () in South Korea and ''Berni'' in Spain, is a Spanish animated television series produced by RG Animation Studios, with the investment of the French broadcaster M6. The animation style is of a combination of computer-generated and cel animation. The stories are written by the creative studio ''Screen21'', the directors are José Luis Ucha Enríquez and Claudio Biern Lliviria. The music was written by Oscar Maceda Rodríguez. ''Bernard'' also was a part of

Cartoon Network Cartoon Network (CN) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the Cartoon Network, Inc., a sub-division of the Warner Bros. Discovery Networks division of Warner Bros. Discovery. It launched on ...

's ''Sunday Pants''. In South Korea, season 1 aired on EBS TV in 2006 and consists of 52 episodes. Season 2 aired in 2008, and it also consists of 52 episodes.

Plot

The show centers on a curious polar bear named Bernard, whose bumbling

slapstick Slapstick is a style of humor involving exaggerated physical activity that exceeds the boundaries of normal physical comedy. Slapstick may involve both intentional violence and violence by mishap, often resulting from inept use of props such as ...

antics and clumsiness typically result in Bernard being knocked unconscious or being severely injured near the end of an episode. Bernard almost doesn't speak, but he does communicate through guttural sounds. Bernard’s friends include Lloyd and Eva the penguins, Zack the lizard, and Goliath the chihuahua.

Episodes

Films

A feature film based on ''Bernard'', titled '' Mug Travel'' in South Korea and ''My Friend Bernard'' in English, was first released in South Korea on 22 March 2007. It was directed by Lim Ah-ron and produced at RG Animation Studios. Another film, titled Backkom Bear: Agent 008 was released in China on 13 January 2017 and South Korea on 3 May 2017. A third film, titled Agent Backkom: Kings Bear was released in China and South Korea on July 23, 2021. A fourth film, titled Backkom Bear: Mars Mission was released in China on September 28, 2023.

Award history

''Bernard'' has been nominated for a number of awards, including ''Best Animation series'' at the Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film (2006), Mipcom Jr. Licensing Challenge Award (2004), Prize in ''Children and Education'' at the Dong-A International Festival of Cartoon & Animation (2004) and was a finalist at the Annecy International Animation Festival (2003). # Nominated for The Best Animation Series at Stuttgart Festival of Animated Film (2006) # Mipcom Jr. Licensing Challenge Award (2004) # Won the Prize in Children and Education at DIFECA (Dong-A International Festival of Cartoon & Animation) (2004) # Was the finalist in Annecy International Animation Festival (2003)

References