It’s been over ten years since the last original “Powerpuff Girls” episode. But, Cartoon Network disappointingly added an extra ingredient to the concoction: a terrible 2016 reboot of “The Powerpuff Girls.” Sugar, spice and everything nice were the limiting ingredients chosen to create the perfect little girls. While the old Powerpuff Girls are far from perfect, their return is a step in the right direction for female superheroes. Blossom, Buttercup and Bubbles are made of “sugar, spice and everything nice.” Keeping this in mind, I am curious to see how the show will evolve in accordance with today’s television standards. Townsville, USA is repeatedly saved by an all white band of adolescent girls. The premise of “The Powerpuff Girls” undoubtedly faces a multitude of problems. The girls save the day, while the father plays the role of a domestic figure. With the fact that the girls are raised by a single father, Professor Utonium, the show once again deviates from the nuclear family model. The male mayor of Townsville, USA frequently requests the aid of the Powerpuff Girls – he is completely dependent on them for the town’s salvation. Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup are depicted as competent individuals who refuse to be treated like innocent little girls in a traditional societal frame. The Powerpuff Girls are not idolized for their sexuality nor for their ability to seduce. They always prove their strength against the odds. The girls are known for their superhuman capabilities and their effectiveness in fighting crime. It is noteworthy that Buttercup has short, jet black hair and Blossom has red hair. Although they are by no means adequately inclusive, the superheroes do not strictly represent the traditional blonde haired, blue-eyed American girl. Whereas convention dictates that blue and green are “boy colors,” both Bubbles and Buttercup proudly wear them at all times, defying typical gender molds. The girls’ representation through their colors challenges the depiction of gender in media. “The Powerpuff Girls’” feminist foundation is a healthy alternative to this cookie-cutter way of thinking and serves as a juxtaposition to the outdated model that supports male dominance and female subordinance. Although there are female characters who fill key roles in the plot, they often don’t become the central focus because of their skill and are rarely responsible for saving the day. Modern television shows are inundated with the traditional depiction of the male superhero – think Marvel’s “The Avengers” and DC Comic’s creations. “The Powerpuff Girls” should leap into action once again and this time, they need to save children’s television. My appreciation for the trio of female superheroes is more than just a yearning for the return to the good ol’ days. I have a tendency to gravitate toward all things nostalgic: glass Coca-Cola bottles, Polaroid photographs, antique furniture and now the revival of Cartoon Network’s “The Powerpuff Girls.” Will this revival of “The Powerpuff Girls” inspire younger generations, or has Cartoon Network exhausted the heroes of Townsville, USA? A&E columnists Samantha Suman and Nina Crosby argue the return of “The Powerpuff Girls” in this week’s “Love Hate.” Though some original voice actors have not returned to the production and the animation has undergone a revamp, many fans of the original show eagerly anticipate the debut. The unmistakable theme song to “The Powerpuff Girls” filled many homes from 1998 to 2005 as fans around the world tuned in to watch Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup fight crime and the forces of evil.Ī decade later, Cartoon Network has announced “The Powerpuff Girls” series reboot for 2016.
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