10 Must-Watch Powerpuff Girls Episodes After That Cringe-Worthy Live-Action Trailer!

Once again, the Powerpuff Girls are back under the limelight due to a leak showcasing an early look at what their live-action adaptation could have been before its cancellation. Currently, they’re preparing for a fresh animated reboot series, with the original creator involved. This new chapter wouldn’t be possible without the various twists and turns over the past decade. Past efforts to revive The Powerpuff Girls didn’t pan out for one reason or another, and it nearly progressed into a full live-action TV series on the CW Network if it had been selected for a full series.

The live-action adaptation of “The Powerpuff Girls” TV series didn’t progress past development, but a leaked potential trailer sparked debate about its quality. In hindsight, it seems that the series might have been better left as an animated production, offering a compelling reason to revisit some of the strongest arguments for why “The Powerpuff Girls” thrives in animation.

Check out the list below featuring ten episodes of The Powerpuff Girls that truly highlight why this show excels in animation. While not necessarily the top-tier ones, they’re definitely the cream of the crop if you’re looking for some fun and timeless episodes to watch after seeing the trailer. Enjoy!

Monkey See, Doggie Do (Season 1, Episode 1A)

A great way to dive into “The Powerpuff Girls” is by starting from square one. Originally, this series debuted as a short within the What a Cartoon! show when Cartoon Network was just getting started. However, the inaugural episode of the full series stands out for good reason. In this episode, the world is transformed into dogs at the hands of their primary villain, Mojo Jojo – giving you a sense of the absurdity that lies ahead. This iconic episode is so memorable that the show revisits it later on, offering a clever take during clip shows. Give it another watch and fall for it all over again!

Powerpuff Bluff (Season 1, Episode 2B)

Generally, some animated series can be tough to get into right from the start, but that’s not an issue with “The Powerpuff Girls”. From the get-go, it’s evident that this show caters to a wide audience. A clear demonstration of this is the episode featuring three villains disguising themselves as the girls in order to commit crimes. However, their most egregious offense was addressing Ms. Bellum (the Mayor’s assistant) disrespectfully by using the nickname “Sweet Cheeks”. The girls even manage to escape prison and have to return at the end of the episode – and this is just two episodes into the series!

Bubblevicious (Season 1, Episode 9A)

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The Powerpuff Girls’ greatness lies in episodes where each girl gets to express their unique traits. These instances often involve introducing a new weakness for each character, such as “Bubblevicious,” which transforms sweet Bubbles into a tougher version to earn respect from others. This sudden change is a recurring comedic element that contributes to her distinct personality. Over the years, this aspect of her character helps highlight what makes Bubbles so endearing. Moreover, in animation, she even strikes a dog for delaying traffic, which wouldn’t be possible in live-action.

The Rowdyruff Boys (Season 1, Episode 12)

In the series’ history, “The Rowdyruff Boys” marked the first full-length episode, and there’s a compelling reason for that. Although they only appeared in one episode initially, The Rowdyruff Boys have become iconic villains for The Powerpuff Girls. They contrast starkly with the girls in every aspect (even being created from the collection of unsavory items by Mojo Jojo in a prison toilet). These villains are vanquished when the girls use their femininity to overpower them, leading to an explosion. Despite the complexity, it’s an entertaining spectacle to revisit under such circumstances.

Stuck Up, Up, and Away (Season 2, Episode 1A)

If you’re looking for more memorable antagonists, then don’t miss out on Princess Morbucks, who makes her first appearance in “Stuck Up, Up, and Away.” Initially introduced as a wealthy transfer student, she would have been a frequent character in the live-action series. Despite her lavish lifestyle, she becomes envious of the other girls’ powers and pleads with her father for enough funds to eventually compete on their level, using a power suit. The creators of the live-action show had plans to utilize her character due to this dynamic, but it was only the animated version that got to incorporate a touch of “Dragon Ball Z” style action in the ensuing fight.

Supper Villain (Season 2, Episode 2B)

The animated series ‘Supper Villain’ cleverly reimagines the world of the Powerpuff Girls, providing a humorous perspective on life as their neighbor. Harold, feeling insignificant amidst these superheroines, eventually succumbs to frustration and transforms into a small-time villain, threatening them during a dinner party. A standout moment involves Professor Utonium meticulously chewing on a pea for an extended period, creating a brilliantly balanced tone that’s hard to replicate.

Beat Your Greens (Season 2, Episode 4A)

One key aspect where the live-action version of The Powerpuff Girls misses the mark is its portrayal of the characters as children, which forms the core of their appeal. What makes them captivating is witnessing these superpowered kids navigate various wild situations, pushing the boundaries of childhood to extraordinary heights. In “Beat Your Greens,” we see a story about resisting broccoli, suggesting that perhaps children should eat their vegetables to thwart an invasion by a vegetable race seeking global domination. At its best, the show effectively transported viewers back to their childhood, and “Beat Your Greens” is one of its finest examples of this.

Super Zeroes (Season 3, Episode 7B)

The Powerpuff Girls stood out due to its creators’ obvious affection for superhero comics and other media. The characters were unique because they deviated from traditional hero archetypes, as demonstrated in “Super Zeroes” where they experimented with being less extraordinary for a change. This episode featured new appearances influenced by Wonder Woman, Spawn, and adorable manga characters. However, the storyline also highlighted their uniqueness when the pitfalls of these diverse characters surfaced. Essentially, it underscored the importance of preserving what makes The Powerpuff Girls distinct from other superhero franchises (“Are better heroes, aren’t they?”). Changing their defining traits wouldn’t result in the same series.

The Powerpuff Girls was special because it was created by comic and superhero media enthusiasts, with the characters being unique deviations from traditional hero molds. In “Super Zeroes,” they tried a different approach, showcasing new looks inspired by Wonder Woman, Spawn, and cute manga characters. However, the storyline also showed why they are unique heroes when the drawbacks of these diverse characters emerged. This served as a reminder that changing what makes The Powerpuff Girls distinctive would not produce the same series.

Equal Fights (Season 3, Episode 12B)

The last two episodes on this list are particularly strong representations of “The Powerpuff Girls”, showcasing a unique approach to villain creation. Similar to the “Powerpuff Bluff” episode, which didn’t shy away from portraying potentially negative stereotypes about women, “Equal Fights” uses this concept to create a new type of antagonist. This is an area that the live-action version of “The Powerpuff Girls” attempted but didn’t quite execute as effectively. In “Equal Fights”, the villain is so strongly pro-women that the girls question their own role in society, as they seem to receive less recognition and popularity compared to their male counterparts in the same field.

Instead, this demonstrates that both extremes have flaws. It’s not that the villain is completely in the wrong, but her perspective is so distorted that she overlooks the fundamental principles that initially justified her actions. Ultimately, she was merely using these principles for personal financial advantage, and this complex lesson is skillfully conveyed within the 11-minute clip. It’s a message that can’t easily be repeated without diluting its initial impact.

Members Only (Season 4, Episode 9)

In the episode titled “Members Only,” the Powerpuff Girls truly showcased their unique essence. This specific installment of the series holds a significant appeal not just for die-hard fans, but also for enthusiasts of Dexter’s Laboratory, as the Justice Friends grace the screen (hinting at a shared universe that, unfortunately, remained underdeveloped). However, this episode serves as the most compelling illustration of what this list has been emphasizing: The Powerpuff Girls are extraordinary because they are who they are. They are young girls endowed with superpowers, and they never shy away from any obstacle, regardless of its nature or magnitude.

The male-dominated superhero group initially refused to let the women join, instead subjecting them to various trials. However, it became apparent that these females were far beyond their expectations and eventually proved themselves worthy. In the end, the women recognized their own abilities and understood they had been capable superheroes all along. Changing or altering them in any way would diminish their unique qualities, something we’re fortunate to have not experienced.

You can now find The Powerpuff Girls streaming with Max (and on Netflix for a very limited time).

2025-03-09 08:10