Babar (, ; ) is an animated television series co-produced by Canadian animation studio Nelvana Limited, The Clifford Ross Company, Ellipsanime (season 6) and Kodansha (season 6). It premiered in 1989 on CBC and Canal Famille in Canada, and on HBO in the United States. The series is based on Jean de Brunhoff's original Babar books, and was Nelvana's first international co-production. The show has been dubbed in 30 languages in over 150 countries.
The show was the first to be based on the Babar books; previously, two Babar specials narrated by Peter Ustinov were produced by Lee Mendelson and Bill Melendez for NBC: The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant on October 21, 1968, and Babar Comes to America on September 7, 1971.
In 2010, a computer-animated sequel/spin-off series of Babar titled Babar and the Adventures of Badou premiered on YTV in Canada and Disney Junior in the United States. The new series takes place several years after the original and focuses on Badou, Babar's grandson and Pom's son as well as introducing new characters.
Plot Based on the books by Jean de Brunhoff and Laurent de Brunhoff, the plot of the first two seasons focuses on the story of Babar's childhood as it is told by him to his children. The past Babar is a young elephant who, traumatized by a hunter slaughtering his mother, flees from his home forest in exile to the city, where a kind Old Lady adopts him and teaches him the ways of human life. He returns to his home forest full of ideas for progress and, following the previous elephant king's death from eating poisonous mushrooms, hatches a plan to drive out the unnamed hunter and his men. For his heroism, Babar is crowned king of the elephants, plans and builds Celesteville, and grows up to become a father himself.
While the first two seasons focus on Babar's recollections of his childhood and early years as king, and occasionally stories told by his children, the series shifts its focus in the third season to Babar's family life in the present day.
Season 6 sees Babar and Celeste, along with their children (with the exception of Isabelle who appears in the first and final episodes of the season), and Zephir, visit different lands of adventure shown to them on a magical map given to Babar as a boy by a wizard named Max. They travel around in a hot air balloon and help solve problems in each place they visit.
Episodes
Characters
Babar's family Babar (voiced by Gordon Pinsent (1989–1991), Gavin Magrath (1989, young), Dan Lett (2001)) is the King of Celesteville. As a young elephant calf, he is forced to leave as his mother is killed by the Hunter during a jungle poaching expedition. He subsequently flees, ending up in Paris, where he is adopted by Madame and learns city ways, such as formal education and clothing. He brings his love of the city back to the great forest and builds the beautiful, happy kingdom of Celesteville for the elephants. He is a dedicated ruler and family man, and a keen world traveler. Due to his childhood experiences, he is extremely protective of his family and kingdom, and often works with other animals in the jungle to ensure the safety of all. However, he is not without a sense of humour, often directed at himself. The first two seasons of the series involve his recalling (and retelling) earlier events in his life as a lesson for his or his children's modern predicaments; from season 3 onward, the series focuses solely on his present life with his family. Celeste (voiced by Dawn Greenhalgh (1989–1991), Tara Charendoff (1989, young), Janet-Laine Green (2001)) is Babar's wife and Queen of Celesteville. As Babar's childhood girlfriend, she is portrayed as brave, smart, and spirited. She has also travelled the world and has had many great adventures. As Queen, she has a more regal presence, but she maintains an engaging manner and sense of humour. Arthur (voiced by Paul Haddad, Stuart Stone (young)) is Babar's mischief-making brother-in-law. He often gets himself (and Babar's children) involved with practical jokes and stunts. Although the English and French versions of the official characters page lists him as a cousin, this goes against the canon of the show where he is clearly referred to as Celeste's brother, Babar's brother-in-law, and the uncle of Babar and Celeste's children. The Japanese version also refers to him as Celeste's younger brother. In addition, neither Celeste nor Arthur is ever referred to as a cousin of Babar in the show. In the book, "The Story of Babar", Celeste and Arthur are shown to have two different mothers and we are told they are Babar's cousin and little cousin, respectively. Arthur is prominent in childhood flashbacks in the first two seasons, but his later appearances as an adult are sporadic as he is frequently at sea. Pom (voiced by Bobby Becken (1989, 1991), Benjamin Barrett (1990), Noah Reid (2001)) is the second child, the oldest son and their informal leader, as well as the heir apparent to Babar. He is protective of his brother and sisters though he will gladly join in with Alexander in playfully teasing his sisters Flora and Isabelle. Flora (voiced by Lisa Yamanaka (1989), Lea-Helen Weir (1990–1991), Kristen Bone (2001)) is the oldest daughter. She's portrayed as smart, brave, and strong-willed, much like her mother as a child. Alexander (voiced by Amos Crawley (1989), Stuart Stone (1990–1991), Kyle Fairlie (2001)) is the third child and youngest son. He is the goofiest and generally the most fun-loving of the children. Frequently enlisting his siblings in various schemes, he is often disarmingly naive about the commotion he causes. Isabelle (voiced by Lisa Yamanaka) is the youngest of the four children. She begins to walk and talk at an early age. Isabelle starts as a baby in the series but eventually develops into a toddler. Babar's mother is a female elephant who was shot and killed by the Hunter in the first episode of the show (Babar's First Step), setting the course for much of the rest of the series. Her murder, which Babar witnessed, was a great source of trauma for her son, and influences much of the direction of Babar's life.
Babar's close friends and royal court Madame (voiced by Elizabeth Hanna), also referred to as The Old Lady, is a human who adopted Babar when he ran away from the hunter who killed his mother. From their first meeting in the city, the Old Lady and Babar shared a special friendship. She gave him a home and taught him about life in the city. Though she missed him greatly, she understood his decision to return to the forest. Babar built her a home in Celesteville, where she now lives with her elephant friends. Little is known about her personal life, although Babar at one point meets her former lover when he appears as a reclusive organ-player in The Phantom. Zephir (voiced by Jeff Pustil (1989–1991), Philip Williams (2001)) is a monkey who is one of Babar's oldest friends, and is considered one of the family. He is the first to take off with Arthur and the kids on some crazy adventure, but Babar knows that Zephir can always be trusted to look after the children and bring them home safely. Zephir runs the local malt shop and is seen doing various other jobs in Celesteville. Cornelius (voiced by Chris Wiggins) is Babar's longtime chief advisor, arguably the wisest elephant in Celesteville. He was present at Babar's birth and has been by his side for most of Babar's life, often acting not just as an advisor and confidant. Even though he is not related to the royal family, Cornelius was very much a father figure towards Babar and Celeste. He also takes the role as a surrogate grandfather towards Pom, Flora, Alexander and Isabelle. Although showing his age (notably through a tendency to fall asleep while at work), he remains sharp and incisive, and is invariably Babar's most trusted counsellor, always accompanying Babar on diplomatic visits or working alongside Babar as he governs the kingdom. His old age is sometimes made fun of by Pompadour, which form a sense of humor throughout the show. While he is more level-headed than Pompadour, Cornelius is occasionally carried away by his colleague's panics. His catchphrase is "My tusks!" Pompadour (voiced by Stephen Ouimette) is another advisor to Babar, Pompadour acts as finance minister as well as the minister of royal protocol, to which he strongly adheres, sometimes creating unnecessary bureaucracy for the kingdom. A high-strung elephant, he often opposes radical ideas and is easily alarmed. Troubadour is Pompadour's assistant, a smaller elephant who does not speak but is very dedicated to helping Babar and his family. He is prominent in the earlier seasons. Chef Truffles (voiced by Dan Hennessey) is the palace cook, dedicated but often easily upset by various situations in the palace which concern food preparation. Something of a stereotype of temperamental French chefs, Truffles speaks with a prominent French accent. The Old King is the late King of the Elephants who died after eating poisonous mushrooms. He appears in Babar's First Step, and appears to adult Babar as a vision in Ghost for a Day. Other animals sometimes appear as friends or allies of Babar. They include the tortoise king Tuttle and his wife, who play a prominent role in Babar's Triumph and King Tuttle's Vote; a weepy "way-out" bird and a music-loving crocodile who both appear in The Gift, pirate crocodiles (led by Captain Sanga) in The Coin, and others of varying species.
Rataxes' family Lord Rataxes (voiced by Allen Stewart-Coates) is the king of Rhinoland. Rataxes is typically depicted as a rude, cold-hearted and often power-hungry leader. Although he appears sparingly in the books, he serves as Babar's main antagonist in the TV series in various episodes. Rataxes often dreams of dominating the jungle and even claiming the elephant kingdom for himself, but his schemes to advance those goals generally fall apart or are easily thwarted by the elephants. As Rataxes himself admits, his resentment of Babar is rooted in jealousy of Babar's comparative popularity and the success of the elephant kingdom; Babar, for his part, tends to regard Rataxes mainly as an annoyance, but is not unsympathetic to him. Because Rataxes' dislike of Babar is rooted more in this resentment than any personal grudge, he often helps Babar and friends as an antihero; many of the episodes end with Rataxes listening to reason and accepting Babar's point of view as long as he and/or Rhinoland can benefit. Rataxes does have some positive qualities, including his fierce devotion to his family and rhinoceros subjects; his forceful leadership is also helpful when various crises threaten the jungle. He appears to remain the same age both in the present and in Babar's stories from the past, as do his wife and advisor Basil. Lady Rataxes (voiced by Corrine Koslo) is Rataxes' wife. She is portrayed as generally calmer and more clear-thinking than her husband, and on friendlier terms with the elephants, but her occasional flights of fancy (such as urging a return to the traditional "rhino rampage" or desiring some luxury good or service) can prompt Rataxes into scheming against the elephants in order to fulfil her wishes. Her real name is Louise,Lady Retaxes' real name, Louise, is revealed in the episode "No Place Like Home". but she is normally called Lady Rataxes. Victor (voiced by Noah Godfrey) is Rataxes' son, also on friendly terms with the elephants; he is particularly close to Babar's children Alexander, Flora, and Pom, and often appears as their playmate. He worships his father, but like Lady Rataxes and Basil, he shows some awareness of Rataxes' limitations.