Codename: Kids Next Door
Codename: Kids Next Door, also known as Kids Next Door or by its acronym KND, is an American animated television series created by Tom Warburton and produced by Curious Pictures in Santa Monica, California.[1] The series debuted on Cartoon Network on December 6, 2002 and aired its final episode on January 25, 2008. This show has been considered as one of Cartoon Network's most popular in its history. The series came about as the result of a viewer's poll by Cartoon Network.[2] Reruns can now be seen on Cartoon Network.
The main characters of the series are five 10-year-old children who operate from their high-tech treehouse against the tyranny of adults, senior citizens and teenagers. They make up what is known as Sector V of a worldwide organization called the Kids Next Door. The show was also part of Cartoon Network's series, Cartoon Cartoons, and is the 16th and final Cartoon of the series.
Overview
Production history
Mr. Warburton created a pilot episode for another show, Kenny and the Chimp. Originally, there was a group of children who called themselves "The Kids Next Door" among the recurring characters, and would often get Kenny into trouble. The plotline was then changed to focus on the group of kids alone, and later, the kids battling adulthood.[3] In 2001, the show's pilot episode, "No P in the OOL", won a Cartoon Network viewer's poll. As a result, Codename: Kids Next Door was greenlit to become a series.[4]
Storylines
The episodes are titled as the Kids Next Door's missions, denoted as "Operation:" followed by an acronym which often gives viewers clues as to what the story is about. Every mission may or may not be chronologically ordered in relation to the previous or the next, but it's accepted that most of the time they occur in the order that the episodes are shown. Sometimes missions make a references to certain situations, or lead to consequences in another mission. Mostly in the earlier episodes, the stories were often about typical childhood problems, but magnified and exaggerated. As the series progressed, a bigger, more complex storyline developed.
KND Universe
The world portrayed in KND is one that resembles childhood make-believe, with children going on epic adventures, and creating secret weapons and tools from everyday items and refuse. The series continually straddles the borderline of admitting whether the events are meant to be interpreted as the imagination of children or taken verbatim as a cohesive universe. The Episode 'Operation: A.R.C.H.I.V.E.' addresses this dichotomy most directly; Numbuh One's school teacher dismissing his report on the great Adult Conspiracy as fiction, only to be seen later making a surreptitious phone call with the message "They Know".
The Kids Next Door Organization is a worldwide group comprising thousands of kids joined in mutual struggle against adult tyranny. They fight villains that embody specific menaces to children overall. For every member of Kids Next Door, upon following a period of training, the kids then choose a number or alphanumerical code (deliberately spelled "numbuh,") and sent to a "sector", that is, a treehouse of gigantic proportions. The main headquarters of the Kids Next Door, the Moon Base, is located on the moon. Kids follow their oath of protecting other kids as well as battling adulthood until the age of 13, when they are "decommissioned": their brains are washed-clean of memories of any past KND activity, upon which they are hence considered teenagers, and a threat to KND as well. Such a practice has inevitably led to the creation of many KND villains (notably Cree, Numbuh 5's older sister, and Chad, formerly numbuh 274 and supreme commander of the Kids Next Door). The practice of strict decommissioning at age 13 was later on revealed to be subject to some exceptions: kids who have proved to be exceptional agents are offered the chance to carry on in KND as spies infiltrating the teen organization (see Maurice for a prime example).[5] This practice is kept secret. Decommissioning has also proved reversible due to a recomissioning module used twice in the series, once in Operation: E.N.D. and once again in the full length motion-picture Operation: Z.E.R.O., where it is subsequently destroyed by the first member of the Kids Next Door and their founder Numbuh Zero (also Numbuh One's dad).[6][7]
Technology
KND agents utilize a vast array of mechanical and/or electronic gadgets and machinery, collectively referred to as 2x4 (two-by-four) Technology. It typically falls into one of three categories: gadgetry, weaponry, and vehicles. The KND 2x4 technology was originally conceived as an assortment of common household objects, being put to use in combat situation; a theme that their offensive weapons still adhere to. However, as the series progressed, the complexity of their defensive weaponry and transportation advanced to such absurd levels as to be considered science fiction (shrinking rays, for example), despite all of it still being constructed with nothing but household materials and refuse.
A common theme of the show is the introduction of a new never-before-seen device, complete with its own acronym, in a sidebar screen that temporarily interrupts the storyline. It is interesting to note that many of these devices require military-level driving or piloting skills, in order for them to operate effectively. However not all of the technology is made of other items.
DVD releases
2 DVDs in 2 volumes were released of Codename: Kids Next Door, in 17 half episodes:
- Codename: Kids Next Door - Sooper Hugest Missions: File One (contains episodes "Operation: I.-S.C.R.E.A.M.", "Operation: P.I.R.A.T.E.", "Operation L.I.C.E.", Operation: L.I.Z.Z.I.E.", "Operation: T.H.E.-F.L.Y.", "Operation: C.A.T.S.", Operation: S.P.A.N.K.", Operation: S.U.P.P.O.R.T.", "Operation: G.R.O.W.-U.P. [parts 1 and 2]")
- Codename: Kids Next Door - Sooper Hugest Missions: File Two (contains episodes "Operation: C.A.N.N.O.N.", Operation: C.A.M.P.", "Operation: C.H.A.D.", "Operation: S.H.A.V.E.", "Operation: T.R.I.P.", "Operation: T.R.A.I.N.I.N.G.", Operation: D.A.T.E.")
- Scooby-Doo and the Toon Tour of Mysteries: "Operation: T.E.E.T.H.", "Operation: P.O.I.N.T.", "Operation: I-S.C.R.E.A.M."
- Cartoon Network Halloween 2: Grossest Halloween Ever: "Operation: T.R.I.C.K.Y."
- Cartoon Network Christmas 2: Christmas Rocks: "Operation: P.I.A.N.O."
- Cartoon Network Halloween 3: Sweet Sweet Fear: "Operation: J.E.W.E.L.S."
- Cartoon Network Christmas 3: "Operation: N.A.U.G.H.T.Y."
Characters
Sector V
- Nigel Uno - Codename: "Numbuh One" (voiced by Benjamin Diskin) - The leader and head of Sector V, a workaholic, bald British boy who is rarely seen without his trademark sunglasses, and does not put complete trust in anyone but his teammates. He is bald due to an unexplained event involving the Delightful Children from Down the Lane, and Numbuh Five's shirking of duties (as mentioned in the episode "F.O.U.N.T.A.I.N."). Throughout the series, his girlfriend is Lizzie Devine, but their relationship came to an end when she explained that she was tired of his always putting KND priorities over her.[8] He is the only operative on his team without a sibling. His last name, Uno, is Spanish for the number one. When in a fight, he shouts his war cry: "KIDS NEXT DOOR...BATTLE STATIONS!".
- Hogarth Pennywhistle Gilligan Jr. also known as "Hoagie" or "Hank" - Codename: "Numbuh Two" (voiced by Benjamin Diskin) - An inventor and pilot with a passion for flight which wears an old fashion pilot hat. He is a fat chubby European American boy obsessed with cracking puns at every chance he sees. Hank is also Numbuh One's best friend as shown in episode Operation Z.E.R.O. He hangs out with nerds on occasion and enjoys some considerably unusual interests (such as trading cards), and also enjoys being a detective (he once interrogated his family and the Sanbans when a Rainbow Monkey was stabbed at the dinner table).[9] He was the one who designed the Sector's treehouse. This was mentioned by Numbuh Four in "Operation: H.U.G.S.".[10] Food is also something he shows great interest in, and underlies much of what he does. It has been implied that he has feelings for Numbuh 5, and in Operation: I.N.T.E.R.V.I.E.W.S., it was shown that they had gotten married.
- Kuki Sanban - Codename: "Numbuh Three" (voiced by Lauren Tom) - An 'airhead' and the epitome of 'girly' and optimistic, is a usually happy Japanese girl whose love for every creature almost always interferes with her responsibilities. She has a great love for, is a fan of, and has extensive knowledge about Rainbow Monkeys (which her room is filled with), and will often irrationally defend them, occasionally allowing her insanely aggressive side to show (generally accompanied by her face turning red, teeth and ears becoming pointed and eyes flaming, resembling an oni). It should also be noted that she returns Numbuh 4's feelings, as shown in episode Operation Z.E.R.O, where they kiss (albeit in senior-citizen zombie form).
- Wallabee Beetles also known as "Wally" - Codename: "Numbuh Four" (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker) - A short, blonde-haired, impulsive Australian boy known for acting without thinking. He is a jock and a sort-of bully as he is the most capable when it comes to physical fighting and he plays the most sports of the group, but is arguably the least intelligent KND operative, which leads to him being easily fooled, and most usually selected for dangerous parts in missions. He is not always briefed on everything about the mission, such as "Operation: H.O.S.P.I.T.A.L.", when he didn't know the injured operative was Bradley (a.k.a. Numbuh Six the skunk), and in "Operation U.N.D.E.R.C.O.V.E.R." he was the only one who didn't know what was going on at the end of the episode. Wallabee is barely literate and is ignorant in basic knowledge of social studies, English and mathematics, and his grades in school greatly reflect this. He also has a crush on Numbuh 3, which runs throughout the series, including in Operation: I.N.T.E.R.V.I.E.W.S., where it was shown they'd gotten married.
- Abigail Lincoln also known as "Abby" - Codename: "Numbuh Five" (voiced by Cree Summer) - An intelligent and laid back tomboy of African American and French descent, she keeps her head cool even in the worst situations. Abigail rarely overreacts in their missions, and sometimes, she would try to mollify her friends (Operation L.I.Z.Z.I.E., Operation L.O.C.K.D.O.W.N., and Operation M.U.N.C.H.I.E.S) and even friends that have become enemies, usually Heinrich Von Marzipan. In Operation D.I.A.P.E.R. , Abigail sings to calm the crying babies at the treehouse. She talks in third person much of the time, and her passion is candy and sweets—most notably ice-cream, this is best shown and hinted at in her solo adventures. Her life's dream was to taste the legendary Fourth Flavor of ice-cream, which she lived out in "Operation F.L.A.V.O.R.".[11] It has been implied that she has feelings for Numbuh 2, and in Operation: I.N.T.E.R.V.I.E.W.S., it was shown that they had gotten married.
Villains
- The Delightful Children From Down the Lane (voiced by Benjamin Diskin, Dee Bradley Baker, and Cree Summer) - Five well-behaved snooty children who move and talk in perfect synchronization. They obey all adults, especially Father, and are the most recurring villains of the series. Rather than interfere themselves, the Delightful Children usually stand back and let a giant robot or super-powered minion do their work (Numbuh 5 makes a reference to this in Operation: C.A.K.E.D.-T.H.R.E.E.). In Operation: Z.E.R.O., it's revealed that they're the lost KND operatives of Sector Z, having been brainwashed by Father.
- Father/Benedict Uno (voiced by Maurice LaMarche) - An adult who's constantly in silhouette and the KND's greatest enemy. He first appeared in the season 1 finale, Operation: G.R.O.W.-U.P.. His powers include pyrokinesis, levitation, mind control, and shape-shifting. In the TV movie Operation: Z.E.R.O., it's revealed that he's Numbuh One's paternal uncle. It is also revealed that his "silhouette" is actually a suit that is torn off by Monty Uno.
- Cree Lincoln (voiced by Cree Summer) - Numbuh 5's teenage sister and Father's apprentice. She first appeared in the season 2 episode Operation: S.U.P.P.O.R.T.. Formally KND operative Numbuh 11, leader and 2x4 tech officer of Sector V three years prior to the start of the series. She's a member of the Teen Ninjas, and her weapon of choice is a B.R.A. (Battle Ready Armor).
- Mr. Boss (voiced by Jeff Bennett) - A child-hating corporate executive. He often holds gatherings for the other villains of the series. It is revealed that he is also Numbuh 86's father
- Knightbrace/Mr. Jelly (voiced by Tom Kenny) - A villain obsessed with dental and oral hygiene.He has a large arsenal of dental-themed gadgets and weapons at his disposal. He's a parody of Batman.
- Stickybeard (voiced by Mark Hamill) - A candy-hunting pirate who sails the suburbs in his ship, The Sweet Revenge, with his crew of pirates, robbing kids of their candy.
- Grandma Stuffum (voiced by Grey DeLisle) - A fat old German woman who creates gross armies of living food to fatten kids up to obese proportions so they won't cause trouble.
- Toiletnator/Lou Pottingsworth the third (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker) - The most pathetic villain in the series, considered an embarrassment by the other villains, to whom he's constantly trying to prove himself. He has control over toilets and toilet paper, allowing him to shoot toilet paper from the rolls on his wrists and "flush" massive bodies of liquid. He's also the self-proclaimed arch-nemesis of Numbuh 4, who's later revealed to be his nephew in the comic story Operation: H.I.S.T.O.R.I.E..
- Heinrich/Henrietta Von Marzipan (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker in the chubby boy form and Candi Milo in the beautiful girl form) - He is Numbuh 5's chubby German candy-hunting rival with Blonde Hair, Blue eyes and a Monocle. He speaks with a German accent and loves candy, just like his rival Numbuh 5. He wears a Pith Helmet, red neckerchief, light brown vest, grey shirt, dark brown gloves, dark green pants with dark brown belt and dark brown boots. He is based on the Nazis from Indiana Jones films. In Operation: C.A.R.A.M.E.L. it is revealed that Heinrich is actually a girl. In the episode, magic Caramels can be created by ritual that takes away one's most cherished quality. In turn for this sacrifice, the caramels become delicious. Henrietta created the caramels using her femininity and then ate what she believed to be all of them. Numbuh 5 kept the last remaining caramel that contained Heinrich's femininity and was able to reverse the ritual.
- Count Spankulot (voiced by Daran Norris) - A spoof of Count Dracula. He is a vampire who spanks naughty children. The count made his brief debut in the episode Operation: N.O.P.O.W.U.H. to spank the KND for not returning their library books on time and has become a recurring character ever since. By removing one of his gloves, he can turn people into spank-happy vampires like himself, and they can only change back to normal if he himself is spanked.
Other Characters
- Numbuh 86/Fanny Fulbright (voiced by Jennifer Hale) - The Kids Next Door's head-of-decommissioning. She speaks with a Scottish accent and yells a lot. She is also known to underestimate boys, often calling them "stupid" and believes girls are far superior. In Operation: D.A.D.D.Y., it's revealed that she's Mr. Boss's daughter and has a small crush on Numbuh 4.
- Numbuh 274/Chad Dickson (voiced by Jason Harris) - Son of the villains Mega-Mom and Destructo-Dad. In season 2, it's shown that he's the KND's supreme commander. However, in the season 2 finale Operation: E.N.D., he apparently betrayed them, as he'd turned 13 years old. In the following seasons, he joined the Teen Ninjas and became a recurring villain. But in the season 6 finale Operation: T.R.E.A.T.Y., it's revealed that he's been working undercover all along.
- Numbuh 362/Rachel T. McKenzie (voiced by Rachael MacFarlane) - Introduced in the season 2 episode Operation: F.U.G.I.T.I.V.E. as the KND's top spy, it was revealed in the season 3 episode Operation: G.R.A.D.U.A.T.E.S. that she'd taken the position of supreme leader after Numbuh 274's "betrayal". Episodes later in the series suggest that she has a crush on Numbuh 1. Also, she's one of the only characters to regularly change her wardrobe.
- Tommy Gilligan (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker) - Numbuh 2's little brother, first appearing in Operation: T.O.M.M.Y. He originally sought to join the KND as "Numbuh T" (despite, as was continuously pointed out to him, T not being a number), which the others agreed to after his helping them in the season 2 finale Operation: E.N.D.. However, he was forced to quit to save them from Father in Operation: G.R.A.D.U.A.T.E.S. and, due to a computer safeguard, was unable to rejoin As such, he continued to defend kids as a vigilante, "the Tommy".
- Numbuh Six/Bradley/R.O.B.O.B.R.A.D.L.E.Y. (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker) - A skunk found and adopted by Numbuhs Two and Three in Operation: C.A.M.P.. Though Numbuh One originally disliked him due to his being a distraction to the others, he apologized after Bradley and his real parents saved the team from an evil camp counselor. Numbuh 1 then granted Bradley the status of honorary operative Numbuh Six. He returned in Operation: H.O.S.P.I.T.A.L., where he's rebuilt as a cyborg called "R.O.B.O.B.R.A.D.L.E.Y." (Robotic Operative's Ballistic Odor-Blasting Rocket Armed Derrier Launches Extreme Yuckiness) due to near-fatal injuries from a spying mission. He made one last appearance in Operation: S.I.X..
Episodes
There are six seasons, each with 13 episodes (two half-length episodes counting as one), adding up to 78 episodes altogether. There have been two TV movies, the first taking place between the second and third episodes of Season 6 (Operation: Z.E.R.O.),[12][13] and the second at the end of Season 6 (Operation: I.N.T.E.R.V.I.E.W.S.).
In other media
- Several stories starring the KND have been featured in the comic series' Cartoon Cartoons, Cartoon Network Block Party, and Cartoon Network Action Pack.
- The books 2x4 Technology Handbook and Sooper Secrets and Boomerang Bloopers, both by Alison Wilgus.
- In Cartoon Network Universe: FusionFall, Numbuhs One through Five, and villains Father, Toiletnator, and Stickybeard appear as non-playable characters. KNDefense armor and 2x4 Tech weapons are available for players, Sector V's treehouse can be explored, and KND S.C.A.M.P.E.R.s can be used for transport.
- In Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion, Father and Numbuh 1 are playable, Sector V Treehouse and the C.O.O.L.-B.U.S. are arenas, and Numbuh 2 and Stickybeard are assist characters. In the console versions of this game, Toiletnator is confirmed as a playable character, Numbuh 4 is confirmed as an assist character, and KND Moonbase is confirmed for an arena.
- In 2004, Snafu comics confirmed the KND would appear in their Powerpuff Girls Doujinshi webcomic. Though this is still yet to happen, concept art for Sector V, the Delightful Children, and Numbuh 86 have been released.
References
External links
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