For today’s review, I check out a line of Pop! Vinyls that when I heard that they would be released, I knew I had to have. Coming from one of the early The Disney Afternoon animated TV series, here are the Gummi Bears!
The Adventures of the Gummi Bears actually debuted in 1985, years earlier than the launch of The Disney Afternoon in 1990. When TDA debuted, the Gummi Bears were one of the staples for the after-school block of animated shows. It kicked off the afternoon for Year One, until Darkwing Duck joined the team for Year Two.
The Gummi Bears were anthropomorphic bears, the last of their kind after humans drove them into hiding because of their magic abilities. Set in medieval times, the series revolves around the Gummi Bears rediscovering their heritage while fending off evil with the humans that they have befriended.
Funko’s line from this series includes five of the Gummi Bears: Cubbi, Sunni, Tummi, Gruffi, and Zummi.
In the cartoon, the Gummi Bears drink something called Gummiberry Juice (the Tubbi Pop! Vinyl is holding a flask of it). This juice gives them powers for short periods of time. Included in those powers is the ability to bounce. I love how the sculpts for Cubbi, Sunni, and the Gruffi show that power in action. It’s also great that the Zummi sculpt features the Gummi Bear Medallion and the Great Book of Gummi. The medallioin unlocks the book’s knowledge and mystery.
I really wish that this line was continued by Funko. Two other main Gummi Bears (Grammi and Gusto) should be in this collection… and I personally think that some of the humans and ogres featured in the series would be fun to have as well. However, I think that what we have gotten so far has been awesome, and hopefully we can get more in the future.
If you would like to add these pieces to your collection, check out our friends over at Entertainment Earth.
Matt Norris