ReBoot
A pioneering CGI series set inside a computer world.
ReBoot is a Canadian CGI animated series that aired on YTV from 1994 to 2002, produced by Mainframe Entertainment, Alliance Entertainment, and Alliance Communications (later Alliance Atlantis). It was created by Gavin Blair, Ian Pearson, Phil Mitchell, and John Grace; the show's primary visual design was by Ian Gibson, who created the initial character and world designs, with Brendan McCarthy's involvement coming later and being more limited. The series is recognized as one of the first made-for-television CGI programs.
The story takes place inside a computer system called Mainframe, a setting chosen because the blocky models and mechanical animation fit the technological limits of the time. The main characters are a Guardian named Bob, his friend Enzo, and Enzo's sister Dot Matrix. They work to protect Mainframe from viruses like Megabyte and Hexadecimal, as well as other dangers. A recurring plot involves the User loading a game into the system, which appears as a violet cube that descends onto part of the city. Anyone caught inside becomes an NPC and must play against the User; if the User wins, the area is nullified and its residents turn into leech-like Nulls.
Bob (voiced by Michael Benyaer in seasons 1 and 2, Ian James Corlett in seasons 3 and the first half of season 4, and Michael Benyaer returning for the second half of season 4) is Guardian 452. He defends Mainframe but disagrees with other Guardians who delete viruses on sight, believing viruses can be reprogrammed into Sprites—citing Hexadecimal as proof. Bob and Dot develop romantic tension and become a couple by the end of season 3. He carries a Guardian Keytool called Glitch, which can transform into any device via voice command.
Dot (voiced by Kathleen Barr) is the daughter of scientist Welman Matrix, whom she assisted as a teenager. Now an adult, she runs Dot's Diner and acts as Enzo's guardian after their father's disappearance (their mother's fate is unknown). She becomes COMMAND.COM in season 3.
Enzo (voiced by Jesse Moss for the first ten episodes of season 1, Matthew Sinclair for the rest of season 1 and all of season 2, Christopher Gray for the first four episodes of season 3, and Danny McKinnon in a season 4 flashback) is Dot's younger brother who idolizes Bob and wants to be a Guardian.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Science fiction / Action-adventure / Cyberpunk
- Runtime
- 23 minutes
- Creator
- Gavin Blair · Ian Pearson · Phil Mitchell · John Grace
- Developer
- Lane Raichert (season 1) / Martin Borycki (season 2) / Dan DiDio (season 3) / Ian Pearson, Gavin Blair, and Phil Mitchell (season 4)
- Director
- Dick Zondag · Steve Ball · George Samilski
- Producer
- Christopher Brough / Ian Pearson
- Composer
- Bob Buckley
- Voices
- Sharon Alexander · Kathleen Barr · Michael Benyaer · Garry Chalk · Ian James Corlett · Paul Dobson · Phil Hayes · Tony Jay · Scott McNeil · Shirley Milliner · Stevie Vallance
- Country
- Canada
- Language
- English
- Network
- YTV
- First Aired
- 1994-09-10
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The show follows the adventures of a Guardian named Bob and his companions Enzo and Dot Matrix within the computer system world of Mainframe as they work to keep it safe from the viruses known as Megabyte and Hexadecimal, in addition to other threats. Recurring plot threads include the User loading a game into the system, manifesting as an electrical violet cube lowered onto part of the city. Anyone trapped inside become NPCs and have the chance to play against the User. If the User wins, the area is destroyed (a.k.a. nullified) and the residents are reduced to leech-like creatures called Nulls. The setting of the inner world of a computer system, known by its inhabitants as Mainframe, was deliberately chosen due to technological constraints. The primary visual design was by Ian Gibson, who created the initial character and world designs; Brendan McCarthy's involvement was later and more limited.
Reader's Guide
ReBoot holds significance as one of the earliest fully CGI television series, demonstrating the potential of 3D computer animation for episodic storytelling. Its production on Silicon Graphics workstations using Softimage Creative Environment software was a pioneering effort, as no other company had worked on a 3D animation project of that scale at the time. The show's setting inside a computer system was a creative solution to technological limitations, allowing for blocky models and mechanical animation. The series also faced network censorship, with early jokes at the expense of the Board of Standards and Practices reflecting frustrations over script and editing changes imposed to make the show appropriate for children. For example, the character Dot's breasts were made less curvy into a 'monobreast' by animators due to BS&P concerns, though this was reversed in season three after severing ties with ABC. The show's legacy includes its influence on later CGI animation and its cult following among fans of 1990s television.
Did You Know?
- ReBoot was initially conceived in 1984 by the British creative collective The Hub, made up of John Grace, Ian Pearson, Gavin Blair, and Phil Mitchell.
- The character Enzo's name is not a reference to computer terminology, unlike many other characters.
- The word 'hockey' and the sport itself were cut in some countries as it was supposedly used as a vulgar slang term there.
- The show's setting inside a computer system was deliberately chosen due to technological constraints, allowing for blocky-looking models and mechanical animation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ReBoot?
ReBoot is a Canadian animated television series that aired on YTV from 1994 to 2002, following small blocky programs as they navigate the digital world of a computer system called Mainframe. It is widely recognized as one of the earliest CGI shows produced specifically for broadcast television.
Who created ReBoot?
The series was developed by Gavin Blair, Ian Pearson, Phil Mitchell, and John Grace, with Ian Gibson responsible for the initial character and world designs. It was produced by Mainframe Entertainment in partnership with Alliance Entertainment and Alliance Communications (later Alliance Atlantis).
What is Mainframe in the show?
Mainframe is the computer system that serves as the entire setting of the series, functioning as a self-contained digital world where the blocky program characters live and work. The plot revolves around security threats, viruses, and the internal politics of this enclosed digital environment.
Who are the main characters in ReBoot?
The central figure is Bob, a blue security program tasked with protecting Mainframe from viruses and other digital threats. He is joined by a cast of colorful program characters with distinct personalities, while antagonists like the green virus Cl drive much of the conflict across the series.
Why is ReBoot considered important in animation history?
As one of the first television series built entirely with computer-generated imagery for a broadcast audience, ReBoot demonstrated that CGI could sustain a full multi-season narrative. Its 1994 debut helped establish the technical and creative groundwork that later CGI shows and films would build upon.
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