''Max & Ruby'' is a Canadian children's preschool

animated series An animated series, or a cartoon series, is a set of Animation, animated films with a common title, usually related to one another. These episodes typically share the same main heroes, some different secondary characters and a basic theme. Series ...

based on the book series by

Rosemary Wells Rosemary Wells (born January 29, 1943) is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She often uses animal characters to address real human issues. Some of her most well-known characters are Max & Ruby and Timothy from Timothy Goes t ...

and co-produced by

Nelvana Limited Nelvana Limited (; also known as Nelvana Enterprises, Nelvana International or Nelvana Digital; commonly known as Nelvana; stylized as "nelvana") is a Canadian animation studio and entertainment production company owned by Corus Entertainment s ...

. The series follows two young rabbit siblings in the 1940s and 1950s. Two ''Max & Ruby'' books had been previously adapted into short films by

Weston Woods Weston Woods Studios (or simply Weston Woods) is an American production company that makes audio and short films based on well-known books for children. It was founded in 1953 by Morton Schindel in Weston, Connecticut, and named after the wooded a ...

and Michael Sporn Animation in 1988 and 1991. These shorts were later remade into episodes for the television series. ''Max & Ruby'' first aired in Canada on

Treehouse TV Treehouse TV (commonly known as Treehouse) is a Canadian English-language Discretionary service, discretionary specialty channel that was launched in 1997. Its name comes from sister network YTV (Canadian TV channel), YTV's former programming b ...

on May 3, 2002. In the United States, the series first aired on

Nickelodeon Nickelodeon (nicknamed Nick) is an American pay television channel and the flagship property of the Nickelodeon Group, a sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on April 1, 1979, as the first ca ...

on the

Nick Jr. Nick Jr. (sometimes disambiguated as Nick Jr. on Nickelodeon or Nick Jr. on Nick, and sometimes referred to as Nick, Jr.) is an American morning programming block that airs on Nickelodeon every weekday. It was launched on January 4, 1988. Nick ...

block on October 21, 2002. 130 half-hour episodes were produced. The final episode aired on April 9, 2020.

Premise

''Max & Ruby'' follows two young rabbits: Max, a rambunctious and achievement-determined three-year-old and his older sister Ruby, a seldom-patient, goal-oriented and sometimes, bossy seven-year-old. The series takes place in a town called Eastbunny Hop, in a universe populated by bunnies and other creatures, in the 1940s and 1950s. According to Wells, the series shows the relationship between Ruby, Max and the universal nature of sibling relationships.. ''

Nick Jr. Channel The Nick Jr. Channel, sometimes shortened to Nick Jr., is an American pay television, pay television channel owned by the Nickelodeon Group, a sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. An offshoot of Nickelodeon ...

''.

Episodes

The TV series premiered in 2002, but was preceded by a 1988 and 1991 short adapting the characters for the first times. The shorts were individually produced and later remade into broadcast episodes.

Characters

Main

* Max Bunny (voiced by Billy Rosemberg in seasons 1–3, Tyler Stevenson in seasons 4–5, and Gavin MacIver-Wright in seasons 6–7) is a four-year-old (starting off at three and a half years old) bunny and Ruby's younger brother. He has white fur and wears some clothes including some long overalls. Prior to seasons 3 & 5 and for the first few episodes of seasons 1 and 2, Max only says 1–3 words or phrases (with the exception of a few episodes like ''Max's Bedtime'' and ''Ruby's Candy Store'' and of voiceover on the title card for episodes featuring Ruby). He does this again in season 5 (voiceover on the episode's title card; except in just the ones featuring Ruby). In seasons 6 and 7, Max (along with Morris) is able to speak in full sentences. * Ruby Bunny (voiced by

Samantha Morton Samantha Jane Morton (born 13 May 1977) is an English actress. She is known for her work in independent film with dark and tragic themes, particularly in period dramas. She is the recipient of numerous accolades, including the BAFTA Fellowship ...

in seasons 1–2, Rebecca Peters in seasons 3–5, and Lana Carillo in seasons 6–7) is an eight-year-old (starting off at seven years old and of voiceover on the title card for episodes featuring Max) white bunny, and is Max's older sister. She has white fur and has been considered the more level-headed of the siblings. She is also a member of the bunny scouts (a formula similar to the "girl scouts").

Recurring

* Grace (voiced by

Julie Lemieux Julie Lemieux is a Canadian voice actress. Career Lemieux has provided the voice for characters such as Sammy Tsukino in ''Sailor Moon'', young Darien Shields in '' Sailor Moon R: The Movie'', and Peruru in '' Sailor Moon SuperS: The Movie''. ...

) is one of Max and Ruby's new baby siblings and Oliver's older twin sister. Like Max, Grace likes getting dirty. ** Lemieux also voiced Oliver (the other one of Max and Ruby's new baby siblings and Grace's younger twin brother who, like Ruby, likes being clean), Louise (Ruby's best friend with tan/auburn fur who is also eight years old), and Baby Huffington "Baby H" (Mr. and Mrs. Huffington's baby son and Bunny Scout Leader's nephew). * Mom (also known as Mrs. Bunny; voiced by Carolyn Larson) is Max and Ruby's mother. She and Ruby are close and she trusts Ruby's ability to help out with Max. She is Grandma and Grandpa’s daughter-in-law. * Dad (also known as Mr. Bunny; voiced by Paul Bates) is Max and Ruby's father. He is Grandma and Grandpa’s son. * Grandma (voiced by

Kay Hawtrey Katharine Mary Craven Clark ( Hawtrey, November 8, 1926 – June 11, 2021) was a Canadian actress. Hawtrey was born on November 8, 1926 and educated at Toronto's Trinity College. She began her career at Hart House Theatre and then went to Engla ...

) has grey fur and is the paternal grandmother to Max and Ruby. Max and Ruby sometimes compete as to whose ideas are better in order to impress her, but in the end she likes both of their ideas equally. She is Dad's mother and Mom's mother-in-law. * Mrs. Huffington (voiced by Emily Scott) is the wife of Mr. Huffington, mother of Baby Huffington and sister of Bunny Scout Leader. * Mr. Huffington (voiced by

John Torres John Torres is an American songwriter and recording artist from Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the co ...

) is the husband to Mrs. Huffington, father of Baby Huffington, and brother-in-law of Bunny Scout Leader. * Valerie (voiced by

Loretta Jafelice Loretta Jafelice is a Canadian voice actress. She voiced Eugeal, Diana, and many supporting and monster characters in both the DIC Entertainment and Cloverway Inc. versions of the Japanese anime ''Sailor Moon''. She also played Susan in Seaso ...

) is Ruby's second best friend; she has brown fur. * Martha (voiced by

Catherine Disher Catherine Disher is a British-born Canadian actress. She has won two Gemini Awards: in 2005 for Best Actress for her role in the Canadian mini-series ''Snakes and Ladders'', and in 2010 for her role in '' The Border''. She was also nominated for ...

) is a friend of Ruby; she has gold fur. * Morris (voiced by

Cameron Ansell Cameron Joseph Amell, known professionally as Cameron Ansell, is a Canadian voice and television actor, best known for voicing Arthur in the television series of the same name, Cheng in ''Skyland'', Prince Lumen in ''Spider Riders'' and Franklin ...

in seasons 2–5 and Nicholas Fry in seasons 6–7) is Louise's two-year-old cousin and Max's best friend. * Roger Piazza (voiced by

Laurie Elliott Laurie Elliott (born January 18, 1971) is a Canadian actress, voice actress, television writer, and stand-up comedian. She is best known as the voice of Jo from ''Total Drama''. She also worked as a writer of Nickelodeon's '' Corn & Peg'' for it ...

) is the son of Mr. Piazza. He is older than Ruby and Louise, standing at years old. * Bunny Scout Leader (voiced by Sarah Adams) is the leader of the Bunny Scouts and Mrs. Huffington's sister and Mr. Huffington's sister-in-law and Baby Huffington's maternal aunt. * Mr. Piazza (voiced by Jamie Watson) runs the local market in East Bunnyhop and is the father of Roger. * Candi (voiced by

Linda Ballantyne Linda Anne Hodgins is a Canadian voice actress, who is best known for voicing the title role of Serena Tsukino/Sailor Moon in the second half of the original English version of ''Sailor Moon''. Early life Ballantyne was born to Gloria (née Sawy ...

) is the owner of the candy shop in East Bunnyhop. She only appeared in "One of a Kind Ruby/Ruby's To Do List". * Rosalinda (voiced by Anne Hill) is the owner of a gift shop that sells jewelry and collectibles and a friend of Max and Ruby's grandmother, Mary. * Katie (voiced by

Robin Duke Robin Duke (born March 13, 1954) is a Canadian actress, comedian, and voice actress. Duke may be best known for her work on the television comedy series '' SCTV'' and, later, ''Saturday Night Live''. She co-founded ''Women Fully Clothed'', a ske ...

) is the waitress at the diner in East Bunnyhop. * Miss Bunty (voiced by Judy Price) is Max's preschool teacher. * Winston (voiced by Ethan Tavares) is one of Max's classmates who is confined to a wheelchair. He is also Max's second best friend. * Lily (voiced by Isabella Leo) is one of Max's classmates who is also Max's best female friend. * Priya (voiced by Laaibah Alvi) is one of Max's classmates who is also Max's second best female friend. She is from India. * Mr. Estévez (voiced by Carlos Díaz) is Ruby, Louise, and Valerie's teacher in school. * Antonio (voiced by Emilio Vírguez) is one of Ruby's classmates. He is Max and Ruby's new friend.

Production

and Silver Lining Entertainment Limited co-produced the show for its first five seasons (in 2005, Silver Lining itself was acquired by

Chorion The chorion is the outermost fetal membrane around the embryo in mammals, birds and reptiles (amniotes). It is also present around the embryo of other animals, like insects and molluscs. Structure In humans and other therian mammals, the cho ...

9 Story Media Group 9 Story Animation Studio (formerly known as 9 Story International) is a Canadian media production, animation studio, and distribution company founded in September 1996 by Vince Commisso and Steven Jarosz. History As 9 Story Entertainment The com ...

overtook producing the animation from Nelvana Limited in season 3 (and continues animating the series for seasons 4 and 5 while Chorion co-produced at the same time); with season 6, Nelvana Limited still handles production of the series and also for the rest of its run. Shortly after Chorion and its division Silver Lining Entertainment Limited both close their doors when season 5 finished production,

Atomic Cartoons Atomic Cartoons, Inc. is a Canadian animation studio founded in 1999 by Trevor Bentley, Mauro Casalese, Olaf Miller, and former Warner Bros. Animation employee Rob Davies. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, it produces service animation for a w ...

overtook co-producing the series, season 6 of which premiered on September 18, 2016, with a new main voice cast and theme song, along with each episode now having 2 10-minute segments per half-hour, rather than having 3 7-minute segments as in the previous five seasons. In an interview with

, Wells has stated about Max and Ruby's unseen parents that "we don't see Max and Ruby's parents, because hebelieve that kids resolve their issues and conflicts differently when they are on their own. The television series gives kids a sense about how these two siblings resolve their conflicts in a humorous and entertaining way." However, in season 6, the series finally introduced Max and Ruby's parents.

Telecast and home media

''Max & Ruby'' first aired on

in Canada on May 3, 2002. In the United States, the series first aired on

on October 21, 2002, then on Noggin on August 16, 2004. The series also featured a British English dub that first aired on

in the UK and Ireland in February 2003.

Paramount Home Entertainment Paramount Home Entertainment (formerly Paramount Home Media Distribution, originally Paramount Home Video, and operating as the namesake film studio since 2022) is the home video distribution arm of Paramount Pictures. The division oversees Para ...

is the

DVD The DVD (common abbreviation for digital video disc or digital versatile disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any ki ...

distributor for the series in the United States. As of March 29, 2012, 2.9 million DVD units of the series from Nickelodeon have been sold in the U.S. These DVDs (see below) only have episodes from the first five seasons. {, class="wikitable" , + Main series ! Name ! Release Date ! Number of Episodes ! Episode Titles , - , ''Max & Ruby's Christmas'' , October 26, 2004 , align="center" , 12 , * "Max's Christmas" / "Ruby's Snow Queen" / "Max's Rocket Run" * "Ruby's Figure Eight" / "Ruby's Surprise Party" / "Ruby's Tent" * "Ruby's Tea Party" / "Max Is It" / "Ruby's Science Project" * "Ruby Writes a Story" / "Max's Dominoes" / "Grandma's Attic" , - , ''Springtime for Max & Ruby'' , March 1, 2005 , align="center" , 12 , * "Max's Chocolate Chicken" / "Ruby's Beauty Shop" / "Max Drives Away" * "Camp Out" / "Ruby's Clubhouse" / "Max's Picnic" * "Ruby's Merit Badge" / "Max's Apple" / "Quiet Max" * "Max Misses the Bus" / "Max's Worm Cake" / "Max's Rainy Day" , - , ''Max & Ruby's Halloween'' , August 30, 2005 , align="center" , 12 , * "Max's Halloween" / "Ruby's Leaf Collection" / "The Blue Tarantula" * "Ruby's Panda Prize" / "Ruby's Roller Skates" / "Ghost Bunny" * "Max's Shadow" / "Max Remembers" / "Ruby's Candy Store" * "Max's Thanksgiving" / "Max's Pretend Friend" / "Fireman Max" , - , ''Party Time with Max & Ruby'' , February 14, 2006 , align="center" , 12 , * "Max's Birthday" / "Max's New Suit" / "Goodnight Max" * "Bunny Cakes" / "Bunny Party" / "Bunny Money" * "Max's Bug Salad" / "Ruby's Beach Party" / "Super Max to the Rescue" * "Hide & Seek" / "Max's Breakfast" / "Louise's Secret" , - , ''Afternoons with Max & Ruby'' , August 1, 2006 , align="center" , 12 , * "Max's Froggy Friend" / "Max's Music" / "Max Gets Wet" * "Max's Dragon Shirt" / "Max's Rabbit Racer" / "Roger's Choice" * "Ruby's Hiccups" / "The Big Picture" / "Ruby's Stage Show" * "Ruby's Piano Practice" / "Max's Bath" / "Max's Bedtime" , - , ''Easter with Max & Ruby'' , March 13, 2007 , align="center" , 12 , * "Ruby's Easter Bonnet" / "Max's Easter Parade" / "Max and the Easter Bunny" * "Ruby's Loose Tooth" / "Ruby Scores" / "Ruby's Sandcastle" * "Max's Work of Art" / "Max Meets Morris" / "Ruby's Scavenger Hunt" * "Max's Check Up" / "Max's Prize" / "Space Max" , - , ''Summertime with Max & Ruby'' , June 5, 2007 , align="center" , 12 , * "Ruby's Lemonade Stand" / "Ruby's Rummage Sale" / "Ruby's Magic Act" * "Ruby's Hippity Hop Dance" / "Ruby's Bird Bath" / "Super Max Saves the World" * "Ruby's Pajama Party" / "Baby Max" / "Bunny Scout Brownies" * "Max's Valentine" / "Ruby Flies a Kite" / "Super Max" , - , ''A Merry Bunny Christmas'' , October 2, 2007 , align="center" , 12 , * "Grandma's Present" / "Max and Ruby's Christmas Tree" / "Max's Snow Plow" * "Max's Snow Day" / "Max's Snow Bunny" / "Max's Mix Up" * "Max's Fireflies" / "Max and Ruby's Fashion Show" / "Ruby's Sing-a-Ling" * "Ruby's Puppet Show" / "Sugar Plum Max" / "Max's Ant Farm" , - , ''Berry Bunny Adventures'' , February 26, 2008 , align="center" , 12 , * "Grandma's Berry Patch" / "Ruby's Bunny Scout Banner" / "Ruby's Detective Agency" * "Surprise Ruby" / "Ruby's Birthday Party" / "Ruby's Birthday Present" * "Ruby's Safari" / "Max's Mud Bath" / "Max's Lost Lizard" * "Ruby Riding Hood" / "Max and the Beanstalk" / "The Froggy Prince" , - , ''Perfect Pumpkin'' , August 26, 2008 , align="center" , 12 , * "Max and Ruby's Perfect Pumpkin / "Max's Jack O Lantern" / "Max's Big Boo" * "Max's Rocket Racer" / "Max and Morris Blast Off" / "Max's Candy Apple" * "Ruby Delivers" / "Getting Crabby at the Beach" / "Max Babysits" * "Max Cleans Up" / "Max's Cuckoo Clock" / "Ruby's Jewelry Box" , - , ''Playtime with Max & Ruby!'' , January 5, 2010 , align="center" , 12 , * "Max's Thanksgiving" / "Max's Pretend Friend" / "Fireman Max" * "Ruby's Figure Eight" / "Ruby's Surprise Party" / "Ruby's Tent" * "Max Misses the Bus" / "Max's Worm Cake" / "Max's Rainy Day" * "Ruby's Piano Practice" / "Max's Bath" / "Max's Bedtime" , - , ''A Visit with Grandma'' , June 15, 2010 , align="center" , 12 , * "Grandma's Treasure Hunt" / "Ruby's Jigsaw Puzzle" / "Ruby's Recital" * "Ruby's Rainbow" / "Home Tweet Home" / "Max's Mudpie" * "Ruby's Home Run" / "Ruby's Missing Tune" / "Ruby's Handstand" * "Ruby's Good Neighbor Report" {"Ruby's Report") / "Candy Counting" / "Ruby's New Shoes" , - , ''Everybunny Loves Winter'' , September 21, 2010 , align="center" , 12 , * "Ruby's Snowbunny" / "Ruby's Snowflake" / "Duck Duck Goose" * "Ruby's Gingerbread House" / "Max's Christmas Passed" / "Max's New Year" * "Ruby's Horn of Plenty" / "Ruby's Big Kick" / "Max Says Goodbye" * "Max's Balloon Buddies" / "Ruby's Penny Carnival" / "Ruby's Big Win" , - , ''Bunny Tales'' , January 11, 2011 , align="center" , 12 , * "The Princess and the Marbles" / "Emperor Max's New Suit" / "Max and the 3 Little Bunnies" * "Ruby's Real Cinderella" / "Ruby's Hoola Hoop" / "Max and the Martians" * "Max's Castle" / "Bunny Hopscotch" / "Max's Grasshopper" * "Ruby's Water Lily" / "Max Saves the Parade" / "Super Max's Cape" , - , ''Rainy Day Play'' , April 12, 2011 , align="center" , 12 , * "Ruby Writes a Story" / "Max's Dominoes" / "Grandma's Attic" * "Bunny Cakes" / "Bunny Party" / "Bunny Money" * "Ruby's Safari" / "Max's Mud Bath" / "Max's Lost Lizard" * "Ruby's Rainbow" / "Home Tweet Home" / "Max's Mudpie" , - , ''Everybunny Loves Spring'' , February 11, 2014 , align="center" , 12 , * "Max and Ruby's Groundhog Day" / "Ruby's First Robin of Spring" / "Grandma's Geraniums" * "Max's Ducky Day" / "Ruby's Earth Day Checklist" / "Ruby's Earth Day Party" * "Ruby Gets The Picture" / "Ruby's Birdie" / "Max Plays Catch" * "Max's Night Light" / "Ruby's Bird Walk" / "Max Goes Fishing" , - , ''Sweet Siblings'' , February 17, 2015 , align="center" , 12 , * "Max Says Hello" / "Ruby's Spa Day" / "Ruby's Tai Chi" * "Engineer Max" / "Max's Toy Train" / "Max's Train Ride" * "Max and Ruby's Train Trip" / "Go to Sleep Max" / "Conductor Max" * "Space Bunny" / "Max's Sprinkler" / "Max's Pogo Stick" , - , ''Sharing and Caring'' , June 2, 2015 , align="center" , 12 , * "Picture Perfect" / "Detective Ruby" / "Super Bunny Saves the Cake" * "Max's Ride" / "Max on Guard" / "Ruby's Real Tea Party" * "The Bunny Who Cried Lobster" / "Max and the Three Bears" / "Little Ruby Hen" * "Ruby's Autograph" / "A Toy For Baby Huffington" / "Max's Big Dig" {, class="wikitable" , + Episodes on Nick Jr. compilation DVDs ! Name ! Release Date ! Number of Episodes ! Episode Titles , - , ''Nick Jr. Celebrates Spring'' , March 2, 2004 , align="center" , 1 , * "Max's Chocolate Chicken" , - , ''Nick Jr. Favorites Vol. 1'' , May 24, 2005 , align="center" , 3 , * "Max's Work of Art" / "Max Meets Morris" / "Ruby's Scavenger Hunt" , - , ''Nick Jr. Favorites Vol. 2'' , October 18, 2005 , align="center" , 3 , * "Ruby's Lemonade Stand" / "Ruby's Rummage Sale" / "Ruby's Magic Act" , - , ''Nick Jr. Favorites Vol. 3'' , February 7, 2006 , align="center" , 3 , * "Ruby's Pajama Party" / "Baby Max" / "Bunny Scout Brownies" , - , ''Nick Jr. Favorites Vol. 4'' , June 6, 2006 , align="center" , 3 , * "Max Cleans Up" / "Max's Cuckoo Clock" / "Ruby's Jewelry Box" , - , ''Nick Jr. Favorites Holiday'' , September 26, 2006 , align="center" , 3 , * "Max's Christmas" / "Ruby's Snow Queen" / "Max's Rocket Run" , - , ''Nick Jr. Favorites Vol. 5'' , March 13, 2007 , align="center" , 3 , * "Ruby Writes a Story" / "Max's Dominoes" / "Grandma's Attic"

Notes

References

External links

* on

* * on the

{{DEFAULTSORT:Max and Ruby 2000s Canadian animated television series 2010s Canadian animated television series 2000s Canadian children's television series 2010s Canadian children's television series 2000s preschool education television series 2010s preschool education television series 2002 animated television series debuts 2002 Canadian television series debuts 2019 Canadian television series endings Canadian flash animated television series Animated television series about rabbits and hares Animated television series about siblings Animated television series about children Canadian children's animated comedy television series Canadian children's animated fantasy television series Canadian preschool education television series Canadian television shows based on children's books Animated preschool education television series Nick Jr. original programming Treehouse TV original programming NHK original programming Television series by Nelvana Television series by Corus Entertainment Television series by 9 Story Media Group Canadian English-language television shows 1979 children's books Series of children's books Children's books adapted into television shows Book series introduced in 1979 Children's television series about talking animals