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This article is about the American Greetings characters. If you are looking for the web comic, see Friendbear.

The Care Bears are a set of characters created by American Greetings in 1981 for use on greeting cards. The original artwork for the cards was painted by artist Elena Kucharik. In 1983, Kenner took the characters and made the first in a line of very successful teddy bears based on the Care Bears.

Each Care Bear comes in a different colour and with a specialised insignia on its belly: for example, "Bedtime Bear" is pastel blue and sports a sleepy-looking anthropomorphised crescent moon, and "Cheer Bear" is pink with a rainbow insignia. A spin-off collection, called the Care Bear Cousins, feature stuffed monkeys, lions, and other such animals in the same style as the teddy bears.

The Care Bears appeared in their own television series from 1985 to 1988, in addition to three feature film spinoffs: The Care Bears Movie (1985), A New Generation (1986) and The Care Bears Adventure in Wonderland (1987).

As of , Care Bears are still being marketed. The new toys offer features such as light-up bellies when pressed. As part of this comeback, the Bears have appeared in their first two computer-animated movies, Journey to Joke-a-lot (2004) and the Big Wish Movie (2005).

The "Care Bears" trademark and the copyrights in the character designs are owned by Those Characters from Cleveland, part of American Greetings.History of American Greetings at official site. Retrieved February 26, 2006.

History

Following the success of their first big franchise (Strawberry Shortcake) back in 1979, American Greetings introduced the Care Bear characters in 1981 through a line of greeting cards. Children's book illustrator, Elena Kucharik, did the original artwork for the cards. The line was developed jointly by Those Characters from Cleveland, AGC's licensing division, and MAD (Marketing and Design Service of the toy group of General Mills).Pecora, Norma Odom (1998). The Business of Children's Entertainment, p. 53. New York, New York: Guilford Press. ISBN 1572307749. Retrieved March 17, 2006 (through Google Book Search).

As they had done with Strawberry Shortcake back when it was called "Project I", AGC called the Care Bears franchise "Project II" as they strove to make the character program secret until advertising was ready. At the start of the franchise, Care Bears was already established as its working title.Trivia from official Care Bears site at American Greetings (archived at the Wayback Machine). Retrieved March 17, 2006.

In 1982, the Care Bears were announced as a toy line for production by Parker Brothers and Kenner the following spring, as well as pre-licensed characters and media stars. In 1983, they were introduced to the general public, and starred in their first television special, The Land Without Feelings, which Kenner produced and sponsored.Pecora, Norma Odom (1998). The Business of Children's Entertainment, p. 53. New York, New York: Guilford Press. ISBN 1572307749. Retrieved March 17, 2006 (through Google Book Search).

1984 saw the release of another special, The Care Bears Battle the Freeze Machine; a miniseries based on the toys was distributed by Lexington Broadcast Services Company in syndication. A spin-off line, the Care Bear Cousins, was introduced the same year.Pecora, Norma Odom (1998). The Business of Children's Entertainment, p. 53. New York, New York: Guilford Press. ISBN 1572307749. Retrieved March 17, 2006 (through Google Book Search).

In 1985, the Bears and Cousins starred in their first movie, produced by Nelvana Limited and released by The Samuel Goldwyn Company. It became the highest-grossing animated film made outside the Disney market at the time of its release. Later that autumn, a television series from DiC Entertainment based on the characters was produced, and ran for 22 episodes in syndication.

The following year, Nelvana took over the animation rights for the franchise with a second movie, entitled A New Generation. It was released by Columbia Pictures.

Later that fall, The Care Bears Family Storybook (also from Nelvana) premiered on the ABC network, lasting two seasons and over 70 episodes. The Bears' last theatrically-released film, Adventure in Wonderland, debuted the following summer.

As with many other animated franchises of the 1980s, the Care Bears movies and TV shows were designed and created only to sell the pre-licensed characters and related merchandise. This has been noticed, more or less, by the franchise's long-time aficionados.

Over 40 million Care Bears were sold between 1983 and 1987, and during the decade American Greetings printed over 70 million of their cards. In whole, the sales of their merchandise reached over $2 billion during the 1980s.History of the Care Bears from official site (archived at the Wayback Machine). Retrieved May 26, 2006.History of American Greetings at official site. Retrieved February 26, 2006. This made them one of the most successful toy lines of its time, alongside My Little Pony and Transformers.

As the decade came to an end, the Bears' popularity faded away. At the start of the 1990s, an attempt to relaunch the phenomenon came in the form of Environmental Care Bears. Only a few select Bears from the 1980s line were used, with some changes that fans of the original toys loathed (for example, Proud Heart Cat was released as a Bear).Care Bears Information @ Toy-Addict.com. Retrieved March 17, 2006.

During the late 1990s, another two revivals came out, but both failed to match the success of the original toy line. In 1996, retailer ShopKo released only Tenderheart, Cheer and Bedtime Bear, and during 1999 (in an imitation of Beanie Babies) Kenner made six "beanlings" based on Tenderheart, Share, and Good Luck to name a few.

The same year the beanlings were made, Jay Foreman, president of current distributor, Play Along Toys, bought the rights to the Care Bears franchise for just under $1 million.McCall, Kimberly L. (2003). Sell It, Baby! Practical How-To's on Marketing, Branding & Sales, p. 3. McCall Media and Marketing, Inc. ISBN 1591133947.Retrieved March 17, 2006 (through Google Book Search). Three years later, the Bears came out of hibernation to celebrate their 20th anniversary. A big event was planned for that year as Play Along began to roll out the new product lines. Thus began a major trend as the toys became popular once again.

In the midst of this revival, Play Along has released brand-new toys based on the newly-redesigned Bears, now sold at stores such as Wal-Mart, Kmart, Toys "R" Us, Target, K•B Toys and Mervyns.Care Bears "Frequently Asked Questions" page at official site. Retrieved May 26, 2006. The new merchandise features the Bears on aerobics; Tenderheart Bear as a doctor; Champ Bear as a fireman; and the Care Bears themselves as Cubs, to name a few.Merchandise information at official site (archived at the Wayback Machine). Retrieved May 26, 2006. In addition, Lions Gate Home Entertainment and subsidiary FHE Pictures (in association with Nelvana) have made two direct-to-DVD computer-animated films featuring the new toys, Care Bears: Journey to Joke-a-lot and The Care Bears' Big Wish Movie.

Main characters

The franchise consists mainly of the Care Bears themselves, as well as the later additions the Care Bear Cousins. Both of them live in the Kingdom of Caring, which is made up of Care-a-lot (the home of the Care Bears proper) and the Forest of Feelings (home to the Care Bear Cousins).

Accompanying them are the Star and Heart Buddies, who look out for the Bears and Cousins whenever they are on missions in caring; and the Birds, who are usually seen in the Forest of Feelings with the Care Bear Cousins and watch over them. A less recurring character is The Cloud Keeper, the portly gentleman who maintains Care-a-lot. He only appeared in some of the franchise's early publications and on the DiC-produced TV episodes.

The ten original Care Bears comprised of Bedtime Bear, Birthday Bear, Cheer Bear, Friend Bear, Funshine Bear, Good Luck Bear, Grumpy Bear, Love-A-Lot Bear, Tenderheart Bear and Wish Bear. Later on, additional bears joined them, as well as the Cousins.

Throughout movies and series, a variety of villains have occasionally tried to stop the Bears and Cousins on their missions. On the first two specials and DiC television series, they battled against Professor Coldheart; in Nelvana's version, they faced Wizard No Heart, his apprentice Beastly and his niece Shreeky. In the movies, they went up against Nicholas and the Evil Spirit (The Care Bears Movie), Dark Heart (Care Bears Movie II), and The Wizard, Dim and Dumb (Adventure in Wonderland). More recently, the Bears' adversaries have included the Rat King in Care Bears Nutcracker Suite, and Sir Funnybone the rat in Journey to Joke-a-lot.

Defensive line and Offensive line

The Care Bears' ultimate "weapon" is the "Care Bear Stare", in which the collected Bears stand together and radiate light from their respective chest symbols, combining to form a ray of love and good cheer which could bring care and joy into the target's heart. The "Care Bear Stare" has several different looks. One has a beam coming from the tummy being made up of several replicated images of the symbol. Another variation forms a rainbow when multiple Bears and/or Cousins are involved. A yellow beam with red hearts is sometimes seen as well.

During the movies, especially the sequel, the Care Bear Cousins call their weapon "Care Bear Cousins Call." In the second movie, the Call looks like a musical score, and the cousins, excluding Swift Heart Rabbit, use whatever animal noises is common to that animal (in the first movie, the Cousins simply make animal noises since they do not have any tummy symbols; those are later given to them by the Care Bears at the end of the movie). However, throughout the animated series, both the Care Bears and the Care Bear Cousins use the "Care Bear Stare".

Merchandise

Apart from toys, greeting cards and animated media, the Care Bears have been featured in a lot of merchandise as well, some of which includes gummi bears (pictured right), party goods, cell phone covers, interior decoration sets, stickers, clothing accessories and many other goods.Care Bears "Frequently Asked Questions" page at official site. Retrieved May 26, 2006.

Books

Many children's books have been based on, and have featured, the Care Bears and Care Bear Cousins. Some notable publications include Meet the Care Bear Cousins (based on the first movie), Sweet Dreams for Sally, The Witch Down the Street, The Trouble with Timothy, and A Sister for Sam. All of those titles were published by toy makers Parker Brothers, who happened to be a licensee for the characters. Over 45 million Care Bears books were sold during the 1980s.History of the Care Bears from official site (archived at the Wayback Machine). Retrieved May 26, 2006.

Recently, Scholastic Press has published books based on the Bears' first two CGI films, as well as the new toys.

Music

At the height of the Care Bears craze, Kid Stuff Records released several LPs based on the franchise. These included Introducing the Care Bears, The Care Bears Care For You, Adventures in Care-a-lot and The Care Bears Christmas (all from 1983), and 1986's Friends Make Everything Better. As well, they released the soundtrack albums for the first A New Generation#Soundtrack movies. The albums based on the toys were bestsellers in children's music during their prime.History of the Care Bears from official site (archived at the Wayback Machine). Retrieved May 26, 2006.

In the midst of the franchise's revival, Madacy Kids has released brand new Care Bear CDs. In 2004, Meet the Care Bears, Care Bears Holiday Hugs and the Journey to Joke-a-lot (soundtrack) soundtrack album came out, as well as Care Bears Nighty-Night the following year.

Video games

In 2001 the first unofficial Care Bear Game was made called Care Bears Volleyball in which 2 players would play a game of volleyball as Tenderheart Bear.

In 2004, the Bears starred in their first PC game, Care-a-lot Jamboree and then again in Let's Have a Ball!. The following year, they appeared in Catch a Star (also for the PC)Official site for Care Bears: Catch a Star at ValuSoft. Retrieved October 16, 2005. and Care Bears Care Quest (for the Game Boy Advance).

Comic books

Between November 1985 and January 1989, the Care Bears appeared in a 20-issue comic book series published by Marvel's Star Comics. The books were drawn by the famous DC Comics artist, Howard Post."Care Bears" entry at Don Markstein's Toonopedia. Retrieved April 16, 2006.

Classic toys

As of present, the classic Care Bear toys can be found at such stores as Carlton Cards, Claires, Spencers, and Hot Topic.Care Bears "Frequently Asked Questions" page at official site. Retrieved May 26, 2006.

Care Bears Live

Since 2005, the Care Bears have starred in their own stage show, called Care Bears Live, organised by VEE Corporation. It is currently on tour all across the United States.

Cultural impact

  • In MMORPG games, the term carebear normally refers to a player that does not like Player vs Player (PvP) conflict in the game. It is generally a derogatory term in this instance.

  • Most of the characters on Happy Tree Friends have heart shaped noses, most likely taken from the Care Bears.

Around the world

See the Care Bears for a list of titles in other languages.

In French-speaking countries, the Care Bears are referred to as Bisounours, roughly translating as kiss bears, from bisou (kiss) and nounours (teddy bear). However, French-speaking Quebec knows them as Les Calinours, or "hug bears"; the word "bizou" is considered vulgar in the local vocabulary.

In Latin America, the Care Bears are referred to as "Los Ositos Cariñositos", from ositos (literally "little bears") and cariño (a type of love that is not romantic).

The Latin American Spanish dub of the Care Bears is the most chaotic dub ever known, mainly because the movies and the TV series were dubbed in many countries by different cast members. The movies were dubbed in Mexico, the first half of the Nelvana series was dubbed in Chile, the second half was dubbed in Venezuela and a new dubbed version, showing in the Latin American version of Cartoon Network's Boomerang channel, is now dubbed in Colombia. The Colombian version is considered as being the worst Latin American Spanish dub of the Care Bears' TV series.

In the Swedish dubs of the various series, the Care Bears are called Krambjörnar ("hug bears"). For unknown reasons, the villains Dark Heart, Coldheart and No Heart all got the same name--"Hjärtlös" ("Heartless")--in translation.

Parodies

  • The Care Bear characters have been parodied in other animated series. On Nickelodeon's Rugrats, the Dummi Bears spoof heavily on the franchise, especially with their "Sing a Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy Song" theme. Another parody exists on Cartoon Network's Kids Next Door, in the form of the Rainbow Monkeys (who appear in many episodes) in addition to Eek! the Cat, in the form of the Squishy Bearz.

  • The Giggle Pies, a spoof of the Bears, appear in The Fairly OddParents episode, "So Totally Spaced Out".

  • In Namco's Xenosaga for the PlayStation 2, KOS-MOS' X-Buster attack resembles the Care Bear Stare, in which the blue-haired android fired a great beam of light out of her belly. The difference is that while the Care Bear Stare spreads love and happiness to anyone or anything it hits, KOS-MOS' X-Buster is more destructive and annihilates anything in its path.

  • On an episode of Family Guy, Meg has a stuffed toy named Sunshine Bear who looks like Funshine Bear

Connections with Arthurian legend

Some elements of the Care Bears franchise pay homage to the legend of King Arthur. For example, the name of the main characters' residence, Care-a-lot, is a play on King Arthur's legendary Camelot castle. The Care Bear Family sits around a heart-shaped table, similar to the Round Table used by Arthur and his knights. The name "Lionheart", held by one of the Care Bear Cousins, can also be construed as an Arthurian reference. In addition, Sir Lancelot's name inspired that of Love-A-Lot Bear.Trivia from official Care Bears site at American Greetings (archived at the Wayback Machine). Retrieved March 17, 2006.

Errors

When the franchise was introduced in the 1980s, a mistake was made causing Bedtime Bear (blue) and Wish Bear (aqua) to swap colours. As soon as the mistake was discovered, the two bears returned into their appropriate hues, and later on a children's story was written explaining why.Trivia from official Care Bears site at American Greetings (archived at the Wayback Machine). Retrieved March 17, 2006.

Footnotes and references

See also

External links

1980s fads | 1981 introductions | Animated television series | Care Bears | Fictional bears | Toys of the 1980s

Die Glücksbärchis | Los ositos cariñositos | Care Bears | Les Bisounours | Gli orsetti del cuore | Care Bears | Care Bears | Halinallet

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Care Bears".

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