The Umbrella Girls

The Umbrella Girls is an American-Canadian animated series produced by John Slope. Produced by Nelvana and Universal Television, the series follows a group of teenage superhero girls who utilize their superpowers from a special kind Umbrella from another planet. the show originally started on Fox Kids on August 9, 1997, before moving to Gingo on November 25, 1998. The series was then put on a hiatus in 2004 and returned production in 2006 by Universal Animation Studios, who replaced Nelvana from the first 4 seasons. The series concluded in 2011 and a reboot has been announced for Peacock (with 9 Story being involved).

The Umbrella Girls originally started as a short by Nelvana in 1983, and later was remade into the show's pilot episode for "The Toon Hour" in 1995. Though originally Gingo rejected it for being "too girly" so Fox Kids picked up the rights for the show. Following its debut on Fox Kids, the show became an instant hit among the 12 to 16 range group as well as Adults.

On November 25, 1998, Universal Television announced that the show would begin transferring to Gingo. Following the transfer, the show became a hit to younger children as well. Leading to a nomination for several awards. The series has also received several Video Games as well as Manga produced by Bandai.

The series ended on December 11, 2011, with a total of 225 episodes and 12 seasons. Following the show's ending, the series went on as a Manga series aimed at a female audience. as well as a short-lived anime series known as "Umbrella X". Which only lasted for 13 episodes.

Premise
The series follows the adventures of seven teenage girls, all between the ages of 13 and 18 going on chaotic adventures after they've received an umbrella (known as Umbellas) from planet Rainbowful after the planet was taken over by intruders known as "Hydroses". The Hydroses are operated by a sinister white alien known as Master White, who wanted to destroy Earth due to her extreme hatred towards life. One of the girls in particular, Joyful Red, also has her animal friends to assist her. Grupy Kobra (a Cobra), Grandma Butterfly (Butterfly), lil' Tyke (a baby cat), and Crabby Crusteation (a Lobster). Master White also her human assistant (who hates life just as much as her) named Junior Master while dim-witted, he can provide just enough problems to the girls.

The series is also known to subject itself to pop culture references and even had a crossover with fellow Nelvana show "Stickin' Around". Such references they make include but not limited to Star Wars, The Simpsons, Sesame Street, Alien, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws, Tamagotchi, Batman, and Marvel. The show is also known to be satire at times and make fun of various things. Including Fox News, Disney, and Barney the Dinosaur.

Blooper Reels
At the end of each episode, a 3-minute bloopers roll featuring Joyful Red and her Animal friends. As they talk about the episode overview and combine funny reactions or jokes in it.

Smart Orange's Fact Center
A one-minute segment that appears during the middle of the episode. Smart Orange briefly interrupts the episode telling the viewer info about a certain topic.

Production
The show's production begun as early as 1988. Originally a re-imagining of the 1983 short, Nelvana wanted another studio to join them in production. Originally, they pitched the idea to DIC Entertainment, but they rejected it. But in 1995, Universal Television approached Nelvana wanted to join the production. So they did.

The show started production in 1996 with Universal Television. Following Multimedia's merger with MCA (which would be brought by Universal in 1996, Gingo became the predicted network for the show. However, they rejected the show for being "too girly" for their taste. So they had to decide on another network to air the show on. Universal Television thought that the show should be on the USA Network. However, Nelvana wanted the show to be on Fox Kids. When they pitched the show to Fox Kids, they accepted it.

Following that, the show's original concept was a group of alien umbrellas fighting evil. But that was changed to teenage girls who used umbrellas with alien superpowers to prevent the show from being too weird. Even for Fox Kids. The show's pilot episode, named "Mission Umbella" aired on the prime time slot of February 23, 1997, after The Simpsons. After the airing, the show was met with positive success.

Following that, the show started its run on August 9, 1997, on Fox Kids and then on November 25, 1998, on Gingo. Following the transfer, Gingo added the show to their Saturday morning lineup with a repeat on the following Sunday night. Episodes would also air every Tuesday on Teletoon as well. Starting with Season 5, Universal Animation Studios would replace Nelvana for one season. After that, Nelvana did the animation with O Entertainment co-producing it, replacing DNA Productions.