From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pucca (뿌까 ['pˤukˤa] in Korean) is a media franchise from the South Korean company Vooz Co., Ltd. and currently distributed in the US by The Walt Disney Company. The main character Pucca is the 10-year old niece of three Chinese noodle house owners. The Noodle House is located in Sooga Village, a small village in the mountains. Pucca is in love with the 12-year-old ninja, "Garu" (가루 ['garu]). Pucca always seems to beat him in combat and unintentional competition, simply by sheer wit. The characters are quite popular in Europe and Asia, with TV animation in cartoon channels in Europe, Central and Latin America. These animations were compiled into a DVD, available in Germany. A UK children's book publisher (Hodder's) has also published a series of Pucca children's books. .Pucca has also attained a small, but dedicated, cult following in the U.S. after its release on television through Disney and products featured in "Morning Glory" stationery stores across America, mainly in large malls. The UK also has pencil cases/tins, which have become quite popular, stationery items, and notebooks/diaries. In Israel, a Pucca-branded snack was launched on May, 2006. In Brazil, chocolate company Garotto released a Pucca licensed candy for Easter 2009.
There is also an ongoing manhwa series in Korea, which has been translated into Chinese, Spanish and German, of Pucca and Garu traveling around the world through an enchanted board game. Their fellow travelers include friends Abyo, Ching, Mio, Yani and Ssoso. Ching, Pucca's best friend, is in love with Abyo, who is Garu's best friend. Pucca has a cat named Yani who likes to flirt with other cats, especially with Garu's cat Mio, but does not like any of them. Ching, Abyo, and Ssoso are all Kung Fu fighters, unlike Garu who practices ninjitsu. Abyo wants to learn ninjitsu like Garu to beat him in a sparring match and is not very good at Kung Fu.
[edit] Characters
Main Article: List of characters in Pucca
[edit] Animation
[edit] Flash animation
In the initial period, Pucca was an online animated series made with Macromedia Flash by original company Vooz Co., Ltd.. Many of its greeting cards and flash episodes center around Pucca's comical attempts to steal a kiss from Garu and the competition at times between the two characters. There is little to no dialogue in these flash cartoons so that fans all over the world can enjoy them. The most popular places for westerners to access the Pucca Funny Love cartoon series are Puccaclub.com and its French counterpart Puccaclub.fr. The episodes are usually very crude and plain with a red background and the characters are not very detailed. Similar to the show, their voices are rather masculine, mostly Garu who grunts a lot. Progressively more characters and details have been added. Now it has a more realistic animation with a dimensional background.
[edit] TV animation
[edit] DVD releases
| Title |
Publisher |
First Released |
| Pucca's Most Wanted |
Vooz |
18 November 2004 |
| Pucca and Garu: First Meeting |
Vooz |
18 November 2004 |
| Pucca: Hands Off My Dumplings! |
Vooz |
19 May 2005 |
| Pucca's Fishy Tail |
Vooz |
19 May 2005 |
[edit] German books
| Title |
Written By |
First Released |
Translation |
| Pucca und Garu: Wir gehören zusammen |
Martin Stabno |
31 October 2005 |
Pucca and Garu: We belong together |
| Pucca: Das bin ich |
Martin Stabno |
31 October 2005 |
Pucca: This is me |
[edit] Photo Frame books
| Title |
Publisher |
First Released |
| Pucca Photo Frame Book 1: Various Kissin Ways |
Vooz |
13 January 2005 |
| Pucca Photo Frame Book 2: Making Sweet Music |
Vooz |
13 January 2005 |
[edit] Key Chain books
| Title |
Publisher |
First Released |
| Chopstick Dance with Pucca |
Vooz |
17 March 2005 |
| Ninja Training with Garu |
Vooz |
17 March 2005 |
[edit] References
[edit] Pop culture References
- In Double A Attack, there is a reference to the Energizer Bunny in the scene where they are making evil Double A batteries.
- In Sooga Super Squad, there is a reference to Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, when they get costumes.
- In Chef-Napped, there is a reference to the classic James Bond films with Abyo as a secret agent.
- In Tame That Toon, There are four references to old cartoons. Old-Time Ring Ring resembles Betty Boop, Old-Time Abyo resembles Popeye, Old-Time Garu resembles Mickey Mouse and Old-Time Pucca resembles Minnie Mouse.
- In Garu Hood, there are three allusions to fairy tales.
- In Tokyo A Go-Go, Pucca transform into a Sailor Scout to save Garu from a giant sumo,also.Godzilla and Gigan can be seen fighting in the background.
- In Full Moon Pucca, when Garu is upside down Pucca pulls his mask down just far enough for her to kiss his lips like in the 2002 Spiderman film. Also the spaghetti kiss from Lady and the Tramp
- In Shirtless Avenger, Slammin' Ramen Swordsman is modelled after Kamen Rider.
- In Puccahontas, there is reference to Pocahontas.
- In Garu of the Jungle, there is a reference to Tarzan & George of the Jungle.
[edit] External links
