Pinky and the Brain
Two lab mice, one brilliant plan, and zero chance of success.
Pinky and the Brain is a beloved spin-off segment originating from the animated anthology series Animaniacs, focusing on two genetically altered laboratory mice with vastly different personalities. Their genes have been spliced, which gives the two mice amplified intelligence over that of a typical mouse and the ability to talk to humans. The duo resides in a walled enclosure within Acme Labs, where they spend every night attempting to take over the world. The segment became so popular that it was spun off as a series of its own in 1995, with 65 episodes produced. It is defined by the contrast between the Brain, who is highly intelligent but arrogant, devious, and bitter, and Pinky, who is good-natured but feeble-minded.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Science fiction comedy
- Creator
- Tom Ruegger
- Director
- Andrea Romano (voice director)
- Voices
- Rob Paulsen; Maurice LaMarche
- Theme music
- Richard Stone
- Opening theme
- "Pinky and the Brain Theme" by Jess Harnell
- Rob Paulsen
- Dorian Harewood
- & Jim Cummings
- Composer
- Richard Stone
- Steven Bernstein
- Julie Bernstein
- Gordon Goodwin
- Carl Johnson
- Country
- United States
Lore & Background
Pinky and the Brain are white lab mice kept in a cage at Acme Labs, where gene splicing has given them amplified intelligence, the ability to talk to humans, and anthropomorphism. In the bulk of each episode the Brain devises a new plan to take over the world with Pinky's assistance, and it ultimately ends in failure - through the impossibility of the plan, the Brain's arrogance and overconfidence, an oversight on his part, Pinky's bumbling, or circumstances beyond their control. Many episodes parody a film or novel, and several are set in historical times, with the mice in the laboratory of a scientifically minded person such as Merlin, Ivan Pavlov, or Johannes Gutenberg.
Reader's Guide
The characters first appeared in 1993 as a recurring segment on Animaniacs; the first Pinky and the Brain segment, "Win Big", aired on September 14, 1993. A common element in nearly every episode is the Brain's question "Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?", and Pinky has verbal tics such as "Narf", "Zort", "Poit", and "Troz". Pinky is voiced by Rob Paulsen and the Brain by Maurice LaMarche; the pair are the only non-Warner segment to appear regularly in the 2020 revival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Pinky and the Brain?
They are two genetically enhanced laboratory mice who live in a cage at Acme Labs. While they look like ordinary rodents, their enhanced brains allow them to speak and plan complex schemes.
How do their personalities contrast?
The Brain is the serious, devious leader who constantly devises plans to conquer the world, and he resembles and sounds like Orson Welles. Pinky is eccentric and simple-minded but loyal to the Brain, and speaks in a high-pitched voice with a Cockney accent.
Did they receive a standalone series?
Yes, the segment became so popular that it eventually spawned a standalone series titled Pinky and the Brain. The spin-off ran to 65 episodes and includes the 1995 television special A Pinky and the Brain Christmas.
More in Episodes & Segments
Elsewhere in Animaniacs
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