Deer Squad Explained
Deer Squad is a Chinese animated children's television series produced by iQIYI in Beijing. The show started out as a series of shorts on China Central Television.[1] The first episode of the full series premiered on iQIYI's video platform on July 15, 2020. The series is about four deer characters (Kai, Lola, Rammy, and Bobbi). The show made its premiere in the US on January 25, 2021.[2]
The show was first announced under the title Deer Run.[3] Nickelodeon has overseas broadcasting rights to the show.[4] The second season was released on January 14, 2022.[5]
On September 20, 2022, iQIYI has announced that a third season will be released on the second quarter of 2023.[6] On July 29, 2023, the third season released on August 4, 2023.[7]
On July 5, 2024, Dave McRae revealed on his X (Twitter) and Facebook accounts confirmed that a fourth season is on production.[8]
According to Xiaoxuan Yang, vice president of iQIYI, Deer Squad ranked in the top five children's shows launched on the iQIYI service in 2020.[9]
Premise
Kai, Lola, Rammy, and Bobbi are anthropomorphic four deer friends who reside in a boat-shaped home in the forest. The forest where their home is also has a park where people from a nearby city hang out. Whenever there is trouble in the forest or city, the deer friends, when within proximity of each other, can go into superhero mode, and use their powers to save the day.
Characters
Deer Squad members
- Kai (voiced by Brody Allen (season 1) and Sascha Yurchak (season 2–present) in English) is a yellow deer who is the leader of the Deer Squad and the group's tech wizard. He has water powers and a hovercraft.
- Lola (voiced by Juliet Rusche (season 1–2) and Raeleigh Jett (season 3–present) in English) is a pink deer who can grow plants on anything, and a car that can fly.
- Rammy (voiced by Holden Thomas (season 1–2) and Lincoln Kipp (season 3–present) in English) is a big red deer who has heat powers and a race car that is able to convert into a robotic horse which is able to leap high.
- Bobbi (voiced by Connor Elias Andrade in English) is a small green deer who has earth powers. He also has the ability to understand babbling animals and likes making desserts.
- Jade (voiced by Azury-Hardy Jones in English) is a blue deer who was first introduced in season 2 as the newest member of the team. She has crystal powers and a drill cart with a crystal driller and three boosters. She is also a crystal expert and knows all about gemstones.
- Wufu is a purple and yellow butterfly who is Jade's companion, and was also introduced in season 2. He doesn't talk but can whisper to Jade's ear so she can understand what he is saying.
Recurring
- Sir Steel (voiced by Doug Erholtz in English) is a conceited wealthy entrepreneur who comes up with various plans either for profit or to simply provide himself with convenience even if it means causing problems in the city or wilderness which he does not seem to mind or realize. Though not entirely bald (he has a small hook of hair at the very top), Sir Steel wears a wig which is seen coming off sometimes. He is also the main antagonist of the series.
- Professor Scratch (voiced by Julie Maddalena Kliewer in English) is Sir Steel's personal scientist.
- Muffin is Sir Steel's pet poodle. Sir Steel is quite protective of her.
- Ian (voiced by Mr. Lawrence (season 1–3) and Dave McRae (season 4–present) in English) is a white duck who is a friend of the Deer Squad. He likes keeping the park in order, and sometimes dispatches the Deer Squad with his tuba when he notices trouble. He also has ducklings to care for.
- Daniel (voiced by Jayden Epifanio in English) is Ian's son. In season 2 he started to speak and is now a member of the Forest Squad.
- Tina (voiced by Samantha Hahn in English) is a green turtle who is also a friend of the Deer Squad. She has three children.
- Binky (voiced by Lincoln Bodin in English) is Tina's son. In season 2 he began to talk and is the leader of the Forest Squad which was formed in the episode, "Tiny Heroes".
- Mimi (voiced by Araceli Prasarttongosoth in English) is a grey kitten who was introduced in season 2. She is a member of the Forest Squad.
- Laura (voiced by Riley King in English) is a brown bunny who was introduced in season 2. She is a member of the Forest Squad.
- Fifi and Sasha La Plume (both voiced by Andie Mechanic in English) are two swans.
- Ricardo (voiced by Jaiden Cannatelli in English) is a squirrel with a high-pitched voice who likes to play pranks. He has an affinity for his tail which he named Ramona.
- Catherine (voiced by Gabby Clarke in English) is a young and heartfelt-looking female crocodile who resides in a place called The Sewer.
- Stu and Safia (voiced by Oliver Brown and Morgan Young in English) are Sir Steel's niece and nephew who were introduced in the second season. Whenever they're around, they sometimes like to have fun or cause trouble.
- Lady Fluffpot (voiced by Elizabeth Simmons in English) is a wealthy aristocrat who was introduced in season 2. She loves jewelry and is sometimes critical of nature, and is accompanied by Sir Steel in his activities or schemes.
- Bot-Ler (voiced by Frank Todaro in English) is Lady Fluffpot's robotic butler.
- Adventure Alex (voiced by Daniel Amerman in English) is Lady Fluffpot's cousin who was introduced in season 3. He is a traveler who explores Sparkle Island, and is also an occasionally member of the Deer Squad.
- Captain Chomp (voiced by Caroline Kinley in English) is a female dinosaur who was introduced in season 3. She is a traveler who collects stuff from various planets around space, and occasionally participates in the activities the deer do in some episodes.
- Kenny (voiced by Brick Willis in English) is a male mammoth who was introduced in season 3. He is Captain Chomp's co-pilot.
- Trickalien (voiced by Vargus Mason (season 3) and Dave McRae (season 4–present) in English) is a sneaky alien who was introduced in season 3. He likes filming videos with his camera antenna to show them to his family.
Episodes
Season 3 (2023)
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: 无敌小鹿（央视版）. tv.cctv.com.
- Web site: iQIYI Original Animation Series DEER SQUAD to Air on Nickelodeon. www.iqiyi.com.
- Web site: IQiyi orders original Chinese animation; Korea's Kocowa debuts in US. www.spglobal.com.
- Web site: Nickelodeon and iQIYI's Deer Squad Premieres January 25 in the U.S.. Animation World Network. January 13, 2021. January 14, 2021.
- Web site: The second season of Invincible Deer Team is scheduled! Have the magical TA Chenglu team's strong foreign aid?. Sina Corp. January 8, 2022. January 10, 2022.
- Web site: iQIYI released 29 animations, and 3 digital collection platforms announced financing. Tencent. September 20, 2022. November 26, 2022.
- Web site: Strengthen the planetary power to explore the shining sea, "Invincible Deer Team Season 3" unlocks a thrilling new journey!. Baidu. July 29, 2023. July 30, 2023.
- Web site: Great session being in studio today as i began voice work on season 4 of Deer Squad. If you have little kids, the first 3 seasons are on Paramount Plus and Prime. #vo #deersquad #volife. July 5, 2024. September 14, 2024.
- Web site: Kids Broadcasters Focus on OTT, Acquisitions, Teen Markets as COVID-19 Halts Production. Variety. Ann-Marie Corvin. October 7, 2020. January 14, 2021.
