The Blobs
Animated series about paint-splash characters in Paintbox Land.
The Blobs is an animated TV series adapted from a set of books first released by DC Thomson in 1980. It follows a group of colorful, paint-splash-like characters who inhabit a place called Paintbox Land. The show ran for 13 episodes (each split into two segments) and was produced in 1996 by Siriol Animation in Wales, working alongside DC Thomson & Co., S4C, and Scottish Television (now STV Central). Jane Horrocks provided the original narration. A Welsh-language version, titled *Y Blobs*, was also made for S4C.
In the series, narrators Jane Horrocks and, for the North American version, Julie Zwillich, each perform all the character voices. The blobs often face problems such as helping others, overcoming fear, or finding their way. They have the ability to change their shape at will. Paintbox Land is governed by a king named Royal Blue and is troubled by a witch called Inky Black. The animation style matches the look of the original DC Thomson books. Pre-production and animation were both handled at Siriol's Cardiff studio.
The series was picked up by TV Ontario in 1999, and Julie Zwillich re-voiced the narration for the North American market. The characters include Fizzy Orange, Puppy Purple, Grumbly Green, Royal Blue, Princess Powder Blue, Sailor Blue, Constable Blue, Mousy Brown, Piggy Pink, Primrose Yellow, Inky Black, Ghostly White, Chocolate Brown, Poppy Red, Rainbow Blob, Grubby Grey, Giant Blob, Floury White, Canary Yellow, Spotty Blob, Vincent van Blob, The Blob Cats, Olive Green, Ringmaster Blob, Butterfly Blob, and other unnamed blobs.
- episodes
- 13 (each split into two segments)
Lore & Background
The Blobs features a community of colourful paint-splash characters who live in Paintbox Land. The blobs can change their shapes at will and usually have a problem to solve that involves helping others, learning not to be afraid, getting lost, etc. Paintbox Land is ruled by a king, Royal Blue, and is bothered by a pesky witch, Inky Black. The show's animation style stays true to the books by DC Thomson.
Reader's Guide
The Blobs was produced in 1996 by Siriol Animation in Wales, in association with DC Thomson & Co., S4C and Scottish Television. Pre-production was done at Siriol Scotland, and animation production was completed at Siriol Animation's main studios in Mount Stuart Square, Bute Town (now Cardiff Bay) in Cardiff, Wales. The series was picked up by TV Ontario in 1999 and re-voiced by Julie Zwillich for the North American market. A Welsh-language version, Y Blobs, was also produced for S4C. The series is notable for its narration by Jane Horrocks and later Julie Zwillich, who affect different voices for all the characters. The blobs include a wide range of named characters such as Fizzy Orange, Puppy Purple, Grumbly Green, Royal Blue, Princess Powder Blue, Sailor Blue, Constable Blue, Mousy Brown, Piggy Pink, Primrose Yellow, Inky Black, Ghostly White, Chocolate Brown, Poppy Red, Rainbow Blob, Grubby Grey, Giant Blob, Floury White, Canary Yellow, Spotty Blob, Vincent van Blob, The Blob Cats, Olive Green, Ringmaster Blob, Butterfly Blob, and other blobs.
Did You Know?
- The series was originally narrated by Jane Horrocks.
- A Welsh-language version titled Y Blobs was produced for S4C.
- The series was picked up by TV Ontario in 1999 and re-voiced by Julie Zwillich for North America.
- The blobs can change their shapes at will.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Blobs?
The Blobs is a 1996 Welsh animated series that follows a cast of colorful, paint-splash-shaped creatures living in a whimsical setting called Paintbox Land. It was adapted from a set of children's books originally published by DC Thomson in 1980.
Who narrates The Blobs?
Jane Horrocks provided the voice narration for the original British run. A separate North American release used a different narrator, and the Welsh-language adaptation Y Blobs was produced specifically for S4C.
How many episodes are in The Blobs and how are they structured?
The series consists of 13 episodes, each of which is split into two independent short story segments. This two-part format was standard for children's animation of that period.
Is there a Welsh-language version of The Blobs?
Yes. S4C commissioned a dedicated Welsh-language adaptation titled Y Blobs, produced alongside the English-language version by Siriol Animation in Wales. It allowed the show to reach Welsh-speaking audiences on the channel's schedule.
Who produced The Blobs and why is it notable for S4C?
The series was a co-production between Siriol Animation, DC Thomson & Co., S4C, and Scottish Television (now STV Central). It stands out as one of S4C's mid-1990s original animated commissions, giving the channel a distinctive children's title beyond imported content.
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