The Monkees meet Gorillaz in the new Cartoon Network series Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi. Mixing goofball jokes, cutesy anime, and relentlessly upbeat music, the show follows the fictional adventures of real-life J-pop superstars Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura.
Joined by their penny-pinching manager, Kaz, the pair known as Puffy travels the world in a customized, teched-out tour bus that doubles as a totally sugoi bachelorette pad. Between concerts and autograph signings, the duo rocks out with aliens, battles videogame villains, and plays rounds of niramekko - a staring contest in which the first person to laugh loses.
Puffy AmiYumi has moved more than 15 million records and headlined stadium tours for years in Japan. So how do they feel about their new gig? "It's a great way to introduce our music to America," says Onuki. "But it's really, really weird to see ourselves in cartoon form."
More Animated Bands
The Beatles: The cartoon predecessor to the feature film Yellow Submarine is packed with the Fab Four's music, wry humor, and - surprise - trippy visuals.
The Jackson 5ive: Follows the make-believe sitcomic antics of Motown's funky siblings. High point: the Diana Ross cameo in the first episode.
New Kids on the Block: NKOTB's adventures (like being chased by rabid fans) provide a few laughs, but the animation is as lifeless as the group's songs.
Hammerman: When trouble strikes, MC Hammer laces up his magic dancing shoes to become the titular superhero. U can't watch this!
- Tim Molloy
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