Ep 1. The Switching Hour
- TV-Y7
- October 22, 1994
- 23 min
-
7.9 (89)
In the first episode of the Nickelodeon animated series AAAHH!!! Real Monsters, titled The Switching Hour, viewers are introduced to three young monsters-in-training attending school at the Monster Academy. Oblina, a well-mannered and studious monster whose most prominent feature is her ability to shape-shift into various objects, Ickis, a jittery and bumbling monster with the power to grow to several times his original size, and Krumm, a laid-back and nonchalant monster with detachable eyes, are tasked with mastering the art of fright and earning their Monster Academy diplomas.
As Halloween approaches, the students are eager to ditch the classroom and venture into the human world to scare unsuspecting trick-or-treaters. However, their grouchy and strict teacher, The Gromble, reminds them of the importance of mastering their techniques and forbids them from leaving until they complete their assignments. Oblina eagerly tackles her project, Ickis nervously attempts to transform into a living embodiment of fear, and Krumm lazily lags behind, seemingly uninterested in the goings-on around him.
As night falls and the academy empties, the three friends are left behind, determined to finish their assignments and make it into the human world before it's too late. As they continue their efforts, they suddenly hear a commotion and discover that The Gromble has been transformed into a small, cuddly creature by a magical switch. Oblina, Ickis, and Krumm take the opportunity to have some fun with their teacher, carrying him around and playing with him like a toy. However, when they accidentally knock the switch and turn themselves even smaller than The Gromble, they realize they need to act fast to return to their normal size before it's too late.
Desperate to find a solution, the trio sets out into the academy's dangerous Dumping Grounds, where they must face off against evil monsters and obstacles to reach the magical switch and restore themselves and their teacher to normal size. With Oblina's shape-shifting abilities, Ickis's size-changing powers, and Krumm's detached eyeballs, they manage to overcome the perilous terrain and reach the switch at the other side of the Dumping Grounds. However, when their efforts are stymied by a fierce monster, they must utilize their knowledge of the human world and its Halloween traditions to defeat the creature and flip the switch back to its original position.
Returning to the academy just in time, the three friends restore themselves and The Gromble to their normal sizes and finish their assignments just as the sun begins to rise. The Gromble commends them on their bravery and resourcefulness, and even rewards them with the chance to go out and scare humans for Halloween. Looking forward to their upcoming adventure, Oblina, Ickis, and Krumm head out into the human world, ready to put their newly acquired skills to the test.
Overall, the first episode of AAAHH!!! Real Monsters sets the stage for a fun and quirky show about three unlikely friends learning to navigate the ups and downs of monster training while also exploring the mysterious and frightening world of humans. The Switching Hour introduces viewers to the show's unique premise and characters, while also showcasing its blend of humor, adventure, and heart.