Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero
An animated series about a part-time hero saving alternate dimensions.
Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero is an American animated series from Disney Television Animation that aired on Disney XD. It was created by Jared Bush and Sam Levine. The show first appeared as a preview on December 5, 2014, and officially premiered on February 13, 2015. Disney ordered the series on October 16, 2013, with an initial fall 2014 premiere planned. Co-creator Jared Bush also co-wrote and co-directed Disney's 2016 film *Zootopia*.
A second season was announced on April 22, 2015, but the show was canceled after two seasons, as announced on July 19, 2016. The series concluded on July 28, 2017, with the hour-long finale "At the End of the Worlds." A total of 35 episodes were produced.
The story follows Penn Zero, a teenager who unexpectedly takes over his parents' job as a part-time hero. He uses a device to zap into different dimensions, where he becomes the hero of that world and must save the day. His friends Boone, the part-time wise man, and Sashi, the part-time sidekick, help him. Their main opponent is Rippen, a part-time villain, and his part-time minion Larry, who also serves as the principal of Penn's school.
Main characters include Penn Zero (voiced by Thomas Middleditch), the protagonist whose parents are full-time heroes trapped by Rippen in the "Most Dangerous World Imaginable." Penn lives with his aunt Rose and uncle Chuck. He communicates with his parents using a MUHU (Multi-Universe Hologram Uplink). Boone Wiseman (voiced by Adam DeVine) is Penn's friend and a part-time wise man, known for his unconventional but effective methods. His parents were also part-time heroes. Sashi Kobayashi (voiced by Tania Gunadi) is Penn's friend and part-time sidekick, often the voice of reason. She uses futuristic glasses to inform the team of missions. Her parents are civilians and only learn of her job in the second-season episode "The Kobayashis." Phyllis (voiced by Sam Levine) is a grouchy Slavic woman who maintains the Multi Universe Transprojector (MUT) in an abandoned theater called The Odyssey, next to the villains' base at Fish Stick on a Stick. The episode "Zap One" reveals she chose Penn and his parents, and the series finale shows she is the good half of the Guardian entity.
Villains include Rippen (voiced by Alfred Molina), a part-time villain and art teacher at Penn's high school who wants to become a full-time villain. The episode "Mr.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Action / Adventure / Superhero / Science fiction comedy
- Executive Producer
- Jared Bush / Sam Levine
- Animator
- Mercury Filmworks (season 1) · Tycoon Animation (season 2) · Top Draw Animation (season 2)
- Runtime
- 22 minutes (10:25 minutes per segment) (separate)
- Company
- Disney Television AnimationAnimation outsourced to Mercury Filmworks (in Season 1) and Tycoon Animation and Top Draw Animation (in Season 2).
- Voices
- Thomas Middleditch / Adam DeVine / Tania Gunadi / Alfred Molina / Larry Wilmore / Sam Levine
- Composer
- Ryan Shore
- Theme Music Composer
- Jared Bush / Sam Levine / Ryan Shore / Beau Black
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Network
- Disney XD
- Editor
- Jhoanne Reyes
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The series debuted on December 5, 2014, as a preview, followed by the official premiere on February 13, 2015. It was ordered on October 16, 2013, for a scheduled fall 2014 premiere. The series' co-creator, Jared Bush, also co-wrote and co-directed Walt Disney Animation Studios' 2016 film Zootopia. On April 22, 2015, the series was renewed for a second season, but on July 19, 2016, it was announced that the show had been cancelled after two seasons. The series ended on July 28, 2017, with the hour-long series finale, 'At the End of the Worlds'.
Reader's Guide
Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero is notable for its distinctive art style, inspired by animated films of the 1950s and 1960s, particularly the work of Mary Blair, Eyvind Earle, Tom Oreb, and Milt Kahl, as well as studios like UPA and Hanna-Barbera. The series' original score was composed by Ryan Shore. The show aired on Disney XD in Canada, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Australia, and the Middle East and Africa. Its premise—a teenager inheriting a multiverse-hopping hero job—offered a unique take on the superhero genre, though it was cancelled after two seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero?
Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero is an American animated series produced by Disney Television Animation and broadcast on the Disney XD channel. It follows a young hero who takes on a part-time job rescuing people trapped in alternate dimensions.
Who created Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero?
The show was co-created by Jared Bush and Sam Levine. Jared Bush is also known for co-writing and co-directing Disney's 2016 animated feature Zootopia.
How many seasons and episodes does Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero have?
The series ran for two seasons with 35 episodes in total. It debuted with a preview on December 5, 2014, before its official premiere on February 13, 2015.
What is the main premise of Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero?
The story revolves around a young part-time hero who responds to calls for help by traveling to various alternate dimensions. Each episode typically sees him stepping into a different world to resolve a crisis for its inhabitants.
Why was Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero canceled and when did it end?
Disney XD confirmed the series would not be renewed beyond its second season in July 2016. The show's final episode aired on July 28, 2017, bringing the story to a close after two seasons.
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