“National Unicorn Day” was earlier this week, and so in appreciation, take a trip with Rediscovered Realms as we visit Uni the Unicorn from the Dungeons & Dragons Cartoon series!
I was not a huge fan of the show, despite beng in the target age range when it cam out. I wanted something a bit more adult oriented. But I watched faithfully as it was really all we had back then.
Recently, my youngest daughter has recently expressed interest in DnD, so I dusted off my dvd collection (which my sister had bought for me years back) and we started watching episodes. Unsurprisingly, her favourite character turned out to be Uni.
Right on, Retroist! Back in my day, when you wanted a Unicorn, you had to apprentice yourself to the local town sage for 5 years . . . who lived 10 miles away . . . uphill. You had to walk there - on foot - every day, whether it was snowing or maelstorming. Kids these days expect instant gratification. They just don't know how easy they've got it.
LOL - now that you mention it, I remember being frustrated at that too! I guess as an adult (and writer) I now recognize there are always "Uni's" inserted into every escape-themed TV series that at some point or other keep the main character(s) from getting home. Written on purpose to keep the tension - and keep the series going! (Gilligan, I'm looking at you.) So technically, it's not Uni's fault the kids didn't get to go home, it was those darn writers (or execs that cancelled the series before a proper ending could have been rendered! 😁
I need to show my kids the DnD cartoon. I think they'd like it. I was too young (also known as not yet alive) when it first came out but I guess it's never to late!
That's cool! I started watching the show with my 9-year-old granddaughter last year and she enjoyed it, so I think there's a timelessness to it that can appeal to any generation. (I know I enjoyed watching them again, but I'm a bit biased!)
You're so right - it's beyond impressive what Frank has accomplished. I don't think you'll have any trouble finding most episodes on the Internet. Just try to find the originals that had the original musical score - I think one of the DVD sets released didn't have the music which was (and still is) INCREDIBLE.
Is it just me or has the D&D cartoon gained popularity over time? I don’t remember any of my friends being into it as a kid, and in the 80s retro revival of early 00s, it felt way overshadowed by bigger properties like Transformers and TMNT. But I feel like the show is finally getting a spotlight with things like the kids’ cameo in the D&D movie.
Good question! I was really living under a rock about this stuff from the 90s until recently, but what you're saying seems true. Other than some comic book appearances, it doesn't seem like they've had much love until the D&D movie, MTG cards, random paraphernalia (I just received a metal version of their D&D rollercoaster ride ticket!), and now (finally) action figures.
I think their recent fame is due to our generation being in their prime earning/spending years and that the property owners are only now realizing the fondness for this show that millions of us share. Of all the topics I post about over on Rediscovered Realms Facebook page, the D&D cartoon struck the biggest emotional chord - it was the most interacted with (by orders of magnitude) than any other topic.
I have to admit I hated her when I saw the show way back when, but since watching the series recently I fell in love. Yes, the neighing can get annoying, but what a loyal friend, fighting for Bobby every time. And that episode you mentioned where she lost her unicorn, powerful. It's not often that a kid's show moves me.
Thanks for sharing that, Henry! I can't say she was my favorite as a kid either - and I get it that folks who were already playing hardcore D&D probably didn't like that cutesie vibe AND baby unicorns aren't usually a boy thing - but I too re-assessed with more forgiving (and hopefully wiser) adult eyes! 🦄
I had to buy the series off amazon, so I bought 2, one not open and put away for 50 years and the other I watch and use some of the ideas off for my D&D stories.
I was not a huge fan of the show, despite beng in the target age range when it cam out. I wanted something a bit more adult oriented. But I watched faithfully as it was really all we had back then.
Recently, my youngest daughter has recently expressed interest in DnD, so I dusted off my dvd collection (which my sister had bought for me years back) and we started watching episodes. Unsurprisingly, her favourite character turned out to be Uni.
Awww, that story warms my heart - thanks for sharing, Kveto!
Always been Team Uni! You want a full-grown Unicorn? You got to earn it. Raise one. Protect it. Bond with it.
Right on, Retroist! Back in my day, when you wanted a Unicorn, you had to apprentice yourself to the local town sage for 5 years . . . who lived 10 miles away . . . uphill. You had to walk there - on foot - every day, whether it was snowing or maelstorming. Kids these days expect instant gratification. They just don't know how easy they've got it.
You're messing with my brain!
I always thought Uni was a male.
This is like when I found out Ravage (from the Transformers) was supposed to be a cat and not a doberman pinscher. :)
LOL! Wait, Ravage is a cat?!!! 😲
Uni allways stressed me out. Always getting into trouble.
When I had my boy watch the Cartoons he was livid that they missed their chance to get back because of Uni. Should have left him.
LOL - now that you mention it, I remember being frustrated at that too! I guess as an adult (and writer) I now recognize there are always "Uni's" inserted into every escape-themed TV series that at some point or other keep the main character(s) from getting home. Written on purpose to keep the tension - and keep the series going! (Gilligan, I'm looking at you.) So technically, it's not Uni's fault the kids didn't get to go home, it was those darn writers (or execs that cancelled the series before a proper ending could have been rendered! 😁
I need to show my kids the DnD cartoon. I think they'd like it. I was too young (also known as not yet alive) when it first came out but I guess it's never to late!
That's cool! I started watching the show with my 9-year-old granddaughter last year and she enjoyed it, so I think there's a timelessness to it that can appeal to any generation. (I know I enjoyed watching them again, but I'm a bit biased!)
Frank Welker is amazing. He's a more diverse actor than most of the live-action ones.
I need to find that show on the Internet...
You're so right - it's beyond impressive what Frank has accomplished. I don't think you'll have any trouble finding most episodes on the Internet. Just try to find the originals that had the original musical score - I think one of the DVD sets released didn't have the music which was (and still is) INCREDIBLE.
Thanks so much for the shoutout!!
My pleasure. Keep the Adventure Going Strong!
Is it just me or has the D&D cartoon gained popularity over time? I don’t remember any of my friends being into it as a kid, and in the 80s retro revival of early 00s, it felt way overshadowed by bigger properties like Transformers and TMNT. But I feel like the show is finally getting a spotlight with things like the kids’ cameo in the D&D movie.
Good question! I was really living under a rock about this stuff from the 90s until recently, but what you're saying seems true. Other than some comic book appearances, it doesn't seem like they've had much love until the D&D movie, MTG cards, random paraphernalia (I just received a metal version of their D&D rollercoaster ride ticket!), and now (finally) action figures.
I think their recent fame is due to our generation being in their prime earning/spending years and that the property owners are only now realizing the fondness for this show that millions of us share. Of all the topics I post about over on Rediscovered Realms Facebook page, the D&D cartoon struck the biggest emotional chord - it was the most interacted with (by orders of magnitude) than any other topic.
I have to admit I hated her when I saw the show way back when, but since watching the series recently I fell in love. Yes, the neighing can get annoying, but what a loyal friend, fighting for Bobby every time. And that episode you mentioned where she lost her unicorn, powerful. It's not often that a kid's show moves me.
Thanks for sharing that, Henry! I can't say she was my favorite as a kid either - and I get it that folks who were already playing hardcore D&D probably didn't like that cutesie vibe AND baby unicorns aren't usually a boy thing - but I too re-assessed with more forgiving (and hopefully wiser) adult eyes! 🦄
I had to buy the series off amazon, so I bought 2, one not open and put away for 50 years and the other I watch and use some of the ideas off for my D&D stories.