Watch The Wild Thornberrys, Retro Essentials

The Wild Thornberrys is an animated television series that aired from 1998 to 2004 on Nickelodeon. The show centers around the Thornberry family and their adventures as they travel the world filming their nature documentary series. The family consists of father Nigel, mother Marianne, daughter Eliza, son Donnie, and their pet chimpanzee Darwin.

Eliza is the main character of the show and has the unique ability to communicate with animals. She received this power after encountering a shaman in Africa who gave her the ability to talk to the animals. This allows Eliza to have conversations with everything from elephants to monkeys and aids her in her efforts to protect wildlife.

The show's plot typically follows the Thornberrys as they travel to different locations around the world to film episodes of their documentary series. Along the way, they encounter various animals, both friendly and dangerous, and often find themselves in dangerous situations which Eliza's animal communication skills help to resolve.

Each episode also typically follows a subplot, often centered around Eliza's attempts to blend in with other kids her age, despite her unusual family and abilities. Other storylines involve Darwin's desire to become more human-like, the family's interactions with native cultures, and even a recurring storyline where Nigel is constantly trying to get a glimpse of a mythical creature called "the elusive okapi."

The animation style of The Wild Thornberrys is unique for its time, with exaggerated character designs and a distinctive color palette that emphasizes the show's focus on natural environments. The show also frequently features cutaway shots to Eliza's imagination as she envisions what an animal she's talking to might be thinking or planning.

Despite the show's serious environmental themes, The Wild Thornberrys also has a healthy dose of humor, with a lot of the comedy coming from the family's interactions with one another and Eliza's attempts to navigate tweenhood with her unique abilities.

The show was popular during its original six-season run and won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Editing in 2000. Additionally, the show led to the creation of two feature-length films, The Wild Thornberrys Movie and Rugrats Go Wild, which blended the characters and universes of both shows in a crossover event.

In conclusion, The Wild Thornberrys is a fun and informative show that blends environmentalism, comedy, and adventure in a unique and engaging package. With its distinctive animation style, memorable character designs, and timeless themes, it stands out as one of the best animated series of its era. If you're looking for a family-friendly show that will entertain and educate you and your kids, The Wild Thornberrys is definitely worth a watch.

The Wild Thornberrys, Retro Essentials is a series that ran for 1 seasons (4 episodes) between September 8, 1998 and on Nickelodeon