Down, down, down, down under!
Jingaroo is an animated series of Direct to Video cartoons in the late 90s. It was created and produced by Beckett Entertainment, and was advertised along with miniature comics in the Beckett Pokemon Collector magazines. Animation was handled by DNA Productions.
The cartoon focused on Jingaroo, a lovable soccer-playing kangaroo who lived with his friends Sydney the frilled lizard, Victoria the emu, Jabiru the Tasmanian tiger, Toot and Snoot the marsupial moles, and Humpty Doo the koala in the Australian outback. Episodes generally focused on slice-of-life adventures, though the comics added a villain, Croco-Vile the crocodile, who had power over dreams and nightmares. 9 episodes in total were made.
This series contains examples of:
- Acid Reflux Nightmare: In "Sleepwalking Sydney," too many swamp tamales give Sydney vivid dreams and nightmares to the point that he can't distinguish them from reality when he wakes up.
- Acquired Situational Narcissism: "The Fool Moon" has Victoria's game-winning goal go to her head, hold a victory celebration for herself, and make her ignore Jabiru passing the ball being what got her there to begin with.
- All-CGI Cartoon: The series is completely CGI, looking similar to the Donkey Kong Country cartoon's art style.
- All That Glitters: After Sydney and Jabiru get buried in sand when trying to get the treasure, their friends help get them out and they realize friendship is much more valuable than material riches.
- Animation Bump: Scenes lit with a fire or set in dark areas tend to be better-animated than scenes in the day.
- Briar Patching: Jingaroo escapes Croco-Vile's nightmare by pretending he can't hear his loud roars, which makes him so angry he roars loudly enough to wake Jingaroo up.
- The Cynic: Jabiru is a skeptic by nature who sees the glass as half-empty, but the others appreciate him for who he is and he treasures his friends deep down.
- Dream Weaver: In the comics, Croco-Vile had power over dreams and nightmares and is known as the Nightmare King. He turns Jingaroo's legs into goo, then zaps away his friends when they try to help him.
- Dull Surprise: Humpty Doo's singing and speaking voice is incredibly monotonous.
- The Fashionista: Victoria likes to focus on her appearance, and loves clothes and makeup.
- Gadgeteer Genius: The Groote Brothers are inventors and particularly adept at mechanical engineering.
- Heel–Face Turn: The Water Tree initially refuses to share his stored-up water, but regrets his stingy ways and saves the Outback from thirst.
- Love Letter Lunacy: In "Groote Expectations" the Groote brothers mistakenly receive a love letter from Victoria, setting off a slew of wacky hijinks.
- The Musical: Every episode of the show has a song or two attached.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: In "Kumquat Hop", the Groote brothers don't secure Jabiru's festival invitation to his door and it blows away, making him think no one invited him.
- Reptiles Are Abhorrent: Croco-Vile is a villainous crocodile. Averted with Sydney, who's a heroic frilled lizard.
- Secret Admirer: Victoria writes a love note to Bicep Birdbrain, a muscular emu that she has a crush on.
- The Smart Guy: Humpty Doo is the outback's resident genius, and usually has ideas on how to solve problems.
- The Smurfette Principle: Victoria is the only girl in the main cast, though female marsupial moles are minor characters.
- Trademark Favorite Food: Jingaroo loves pancakes, and an entire episode, "Flapjack Attack," is dedicated to him making breakfast with the help of his friends.
- Treasure Hunt Episode: "Treasures Everywhere" is about the gang searching for treasure in a sunken ship that's been buried in sand.
- Treasure Room: The pirate ship in "Treasure Everywhere" initially contains one treasure chest until a wall falls down to reveal a room packed with gold.
