Star vs. the Forces of Evil is an American animated television comedy produced by Disney Television Animation for Disney Channel and Disney XD. The series had a sneak peak premiere on Disney Channel on January 18, 2015, and it officially started on Disney XD on March 30, 2015.[3][2]
The show was created by Daron Nefcy (former storyboard revisionist for Wander Over Yonder), the first woman to create a show for Disney XD and the second to create a series for Disney Television Animation. Dave Wasson serves as director and Jordana Arkin as story editor, while both also co-executive produce the series.
Disney XD ordered a second season for Star vs. the Forces of Evil before its official premiere on March 30, 2015.[2] On March 4, 2016, they ordered a third season.[4] On February 28, 2017, Disney XD ordered a fourth season.[1]
The fourth and final season ended on May 19, 2019.
Plot[]
Star vs. the Forces of Evil is an animated comedy adventure that follows fun-loving magical teen princess, Star Butterfly, who — after a few bold skirmishes with other-worldly monsters — is sent by her Royal Parents to live with the Diaz family on Earth, bringing along her own unique inter-dimensional style to her new planet. With the Diaz's teenage son Marco by her side, this foreign exchange student from another dimension embarks on new adventures battling evil villains throughout the multiverse and in high school, all in an effort to protect her powerful magic wand which she is still figuring out how to use.
Cast[]
Main cast[]
- Eden Sher - Star Butterfly
- Adam McArthur - Marco Diaz, Big Chicken
- Alan Tudyk - Ludo Avarius, River Butterfly
Secondary cast[]
- Artt Butler - Rafael Diaz
- Matt Chapman - Alfonzo Dolittle
- Abby Elliott - Janna Ordonia
- Grey Griffin - Moon Butterfly, Jackie Lynn Thomas, Hope Hadley, Salty Barnacle waitress, police officer, koala patron
- Daron Nefcy - Becky, pixie princess, Sabrina, StarFan13
- Minae Noji - Brittney Wong
- Dee Dee Rescher - Miss Skullnick
- Jenny Slate - Pony Head
- Nate Torrence - Ferguson O'durguson
- Nia Vardalos - Angie Diaz
Guest stars[]
- Dave Allen - Mr. Candle
- Daniel "Desus Nice" Baker - Pickles
- Maria Bamford - Make-up Blast
- Susan Bennett - Quest Buy Gift Card
- Jodi Benson - Singing Teacher
- Mayim Bialik - Willoughby
- Esmé Bianco - Eclipsa Butterfly
- Yvette Nicole Brown - Brigid
- Ross Bryant - Reynaldo the Bald Pate
- Nicole Byer - Princess Arms, Princess Jaggs
- Jamie Camil - Globgor
- Anna Camp - Pixie Empress
- Donna Lynne Champlin - Maude Maizley
- Eugene Cordero - Mr. Ordonia
- Keith David - Glossaryck (2nd voice)
- Rhys Darby - Eddie
- Dana Davis - Kelly, Lady Whosits
- Katie Driver - Young Moon Butterfly
- Danielle Fishel - Woolandian Librarian
- Jim Gaffigan - Father Time
- Isabella Gomez - Teen Mariposa Diaz
- Tania Gunadi - Tala Ordonia
- Tony Hale - Pie King
- Michael C. Hall - Toffee
- Jon Heder - Oskar Greason
- Alex Hirsch - Ben Fotino
- Ralph Ineson - Demoncist
- Brian Michael Jones - Erik
- Damon Jones - Sir Lavabo
- Carol Kane - Dr. Jelly Goodwell
- JP Karliak - Naysaya
- Jamie Kennedy - Helios
- Tom Kenny - Bon Bon
- The Kid Mero - Needles
- Arif S. Kinchen - Princess Smooshy
- David Krumholtz - Cobalt Ferrero
- Nick Lachey - Justin Towers
- Lauren Lapkus - Higgs
- Natasha Leggero - Nightmare Dream
- Steve Little - Spider With a Top Hat
- Ron Lynch - Narwhal Husband
- Zosia Mamet - Hekapoo
- Joel "The Kid Mero" Martinez - Needles
- Amanda C. Miller - Quasar Caterpillar
- Max Mittelman - Wyscan the Granter
- Lamorne Morris - Grandmaster
- Eric Christian Olsen - Rock
- Jessica Paré - Chloe
- Lennon Parham - Apothecary Sherry
- Eddie Perino - Seahorse
- Brent Popolizio - Timmy
- Brian Posehn - Lobster Claws
- Melissa Rauch - Baby
- Chris Redd - Hypnoslumber
- Justin Roiland - Doop-Doop
- Stephen Root - Brian
- Natasha Rothwell - Brunzetta
- Bryana Salaz - Teen Meteora
- Sean Schemmel - Box of Truth
- Amy Sedaris - Lydia, Mina Loveberry
- Sonny Ashbourne Serkis - Young River Johansen
- Atticus Shaffer - Dennis
- Pauly Shore - Johnny Blowhole
- Constance Shulman - Milly Sparkles
- Rider Strong - Tom Lucitor
- Patrick Stump - Ruberiot
- Josh Sussman - Rock Johansen, Sean
- Nick Swardson - Dojo Sensei
- Jeffrey Tambor - Glossaryck
- Tajna Tanovic - Ingrid Bloomgren
- Jerry Trainor - Roy
- Jessica Walter - Miss Heinous
- Carl Weathers - Omnitraxus Prime
- Billy West - Hungry Larry
- Gemma Whelan - Solaria Butterfly
- Gary Anthony Williams - Rich Pigeon
- Danny Woodburn - Pixie taskmaster
- "Weird Al" Yankovic - Preston Change-O
Additional voices[]
- Pamela Adlon - Azniss Pony Head, Pamanda Pony Head, Shinda Pony Head, Shonda Pony Head, Teta Pony Head, Whistine Pony Head
- Leigh Allyn-Baker -
- Dee Bradley Baker - Bald eagle, giant spider, yarn monster
- Eric Bauza - Cloudy
- Jeff Bennett - Principal Skeeves, Justin Armberg, Francis Smithington, Bearicorn, Giraffe Monster, Gemini
- Dominic Bisignano - Bearded hipster, Jorby
- Corey Burton - Lance Lance Revolution announcer, Monster Arm
- Dominic Catrambone -
- Gregory Michael Cipes - Tad
- Natalie Coughlin -
- Eddie Deezen - Squares
- John DiMaggio - Dogbull, Lord Brudo, sea serpent
- Keith Ferguson - Jeremy Is Awesome vocals
- Mark Gagliardi - Larry Kelpbottom, Seabunny Captain
- Juliana Hansen - Princess Spiderbite
- Kate Higgins -
- John Infantino -
- Maurice LaMarche - Guard of St. Olga's Reform School for Wayward Princesses #1, King Pony Head, Squares
- Phil LaMarr - Toby
- Lyons Luke Mathias - Laser puppy, little boy on scooter
- Tress MacNeille - Lady Avarius
- John Mathot -
- Scott Menville - Zeke
- Bobby Miller - Slime Monster
- Natalie Palamides - Foolduke
- Rob Paulsen - Charlie Booth
- Jim Pirri - Millhorse
- Jonny Rees - Manfred
- Kevin Michael Richardson - Rhombulus
- Cindy Robinson -
- Joshua Rush - Jeremy Birnbaum
- Cole Sand -
- Lloyd Sherr - Cat with Human Face
- Laura Silverman - Jan-Jan Pony Head, Khrysthalle Pony Head
- Roger Craig Smith -
- Fred Tatasciore - Buff Frog, Beard Deer, Emmitt, Quest Buy sloth clerks, Talon Raventalon
- Chris Tergliafera - Rasticore
- Kimaya Thais - Katrina
- Joe J. Thomas - Emilio
- Kari Wahlgren - Etheria Butterfly, Lady Scarfs-a-Lot
- Hynden Walch - Pixie clerk
- Kelly Ward -
- Bresha Webb - Angel Pony Head, Hornanne Pony Head, Pranciss Pony Head
- Travis Willingham - Mackie Hand, Meat Fork, Mildrew
- April Winchell - Riddle Sphinx
- Dave Wittenberg -
- Gwendoline Yeo - Mrs. Liao
- Keone Young - Japanese driver
Crew[]
- Daron Nefcy - Creator, Executive Producer
- Kelly Ward - Voice Director
- Dave Wasson - Developer
History[]
Daron Nefcy originally came up with the idea of Star and began pitching it to various television networks when she was a junior in college. The idea remained in her mind over the course of six years, and while the character of Star stayed the same, the show kept evolving and evolving.[5]
When she originally pitched the show to Disney, Star was a grade schooler who believed that she had magical powers, albeit it just being in her head. However, an executive suggested changing Star into a teenager with real magical powers. After feeling that she failed pitching the idea to SVP of Original Series Eric Coleman, Daron retooled her pitch, which resulted in Star becoming a foreign exchange student from another dimension with a magical wand. It took a year for Daron and her team to create a pilot, and two more years to create the first season.[6]
Several of the series' influences, according to Nefcy, include Sailor Moon, Bryan Lee O'Malley's Scott Pilgrim graphic novel series, and Joann Sfar and Lewis Trondheim's Dungeon series.[5]
Reception[]
The series has received largely positive reviews since its premiere. As of September 2017, it holds an 8.2 rating based on 5,500 users on IMDb.com,[7] an 8.4 rating based on 250 votes on TV.com,[8] and a 3/5 star rating by Common Sense Media.[9] Star vs. the Forces of Evil was placed at #3 on WatchMojo's "Top 10 Animated Disney Channel Series of the Last Decade" list.[10]
Kevin Johnson of The A.V. Club gave the pilot episode a B+, saying that the show was something children could have a lot of fun with, noting how the show follows current trends in Western animation "towards large-eyed characters and quirky visual trends". Johnson stated that Star vs. the Forces of Evil "excels on wild, silly, and clever set-pieces to bring the laughs and action", but expected that adult viewers won't get much out of it.[11] Furthermore, the premiere of Star vs. the Forces of Evil became the most-watched animated series debut in Disney XD's history, according to Variety.[12] In 2016, Star reached over 100 million consumer views combined across Disney XD's media platforms.[1]
In reviewing episodes from the first season, Marcy Cook of The Mary Sue described the show as a blend of others such as Invader Zim and a sanitized Ren & Stimpy, with great appeal to tween and teen girls as well some laugh-out-loud moments for adults. Cook praises the show's appeal, "stylised and distinctive artwork", and main character but criticizes its occasional inconsistencies in characterization and episode quality.[13] Caitlin Donovan of Epicstream listed Star among her top 10 animated series of 2015. She found the first few episodes to be "a little rough for me, like the show was trying too hard to be funny and weird", but that the show got better with character development and relationship building, with "a really dramatic, high-tension finale to the first season".[14]
Awards and nominations[]
Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
2015 Annecy International Animated Film Festival | TV Series | "Party With a Pony" | Nominated | [15][16] |
5th Annual BTVA Voice Acting Awards | Best Female Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Supporting Role | Dee Dee Rescher (Miss Skullnick) | Nominated | [17] |
43rd Annual Annie Awards | Best Animated Television/Broadcast Production for Children | "Blood Moon Ball" | Nominated | [18][19] |
Outstanding Achievement, Voice Acting in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production | Alan Tudyk (Ludo) | Nominated | ||
Outstanding Achievement, Editorial in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production | Ted Supa ("Storm the Castle") | Nominated | ||
6th Annual BTVA Voice Acting Awards | Best Female Lead Vocal Performance in a Television Series | Eden Sher (Star Butterfly) | Won (People's Choice) | [20] |
Best Female Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Guest Role | Yvette Nicole Brown (Brigid) | Nominated | ||
Best Female Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Supporting Role | Jenny Slate (Pony Head) | Nominated | ||
Best Male Lead Vocal Performance in a Television Series | Adam McArthur (Marco Diaz) | Won (People's Choice) | ||
Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series | Star vs. the Forces of Evil | Won (People's Choice) | ||
45th Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation | Michelle Park (Color Designer) | Won | [21] |
46th Annual Annie Awards | Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production | "Booth Buddies" | Nominated | [22] |
Storyboarding in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production | Sage Cotugno ("Conquer") | Nominated | ||
Kids' Choice Awards Mexico 2019 | Favorite Cartoon | Star vs. the Forces of Evil | Nominated |
Trivia[]
- The series' working title was Star and the Forces of Evil before it was changed.
- The series was originally scheduled to air a sneak peek on November 26, 2014 before it officially premiered in January 2015. However, it was later removed from the schedule and replaced with a Star Wars Rebels rerun. Daron, when asked about it, replied that there wasn't any plans for a sneak peek that she knew of. The actual premiere date of the sneak peek episode was January 18, 2015, and the show's official premiere was not in January but March 2015.
- Star vs. the Forces of Evil had the most-watched series debut for an animated series in Disney XD history, attracting 1.2 million viewers on March 30, 2015.[23][24]
- Star vs. the Forces of Evil had the first ever animated live chat on Facebook and YouTube.[citation needed]
- Star vs. the Forces of Evil was the fourth most searched comedy television show on Google in 2017.[25]
- WatchMojo.com named this show #6 in their "Top 10 Cartoons For Anime Lovers" list.[26]
- Nefcy has stated[when?] that in the future she would like to see a continuation of the series, such as a film adaptation, another season, or a spin-off.
- In the Big City Greens episode "Present Tense", a Star Butterfly plushie can be seen in a claw machine in an arcade along some other Disney Channel figures from other Disney Television Animation shows, including Sprig Plantar from Amphibia, Wander from Wander Over Yonder, Perry the Platypus from Phineas and Ferb, Rufus from Kim Possible, Bill Cipher from Gravity Falls and King from The Owl House.
- In the The Owl House episode "For the Future", the events of Star vs. the Forces of Evil are written in the Collector's book. The shown passage implicitly refers to Star and Eclipsa Butterfly.
- In The Ghost and Molly McGee's Darryl Theme Song Takeover, one of Darryl McGee's scams involves selling cheap knockoff DVDs. Depicted is cover art of a parody of Star vs. the Forces of Evil incompletely titled Moon vs..., alongside others parodying DuckTales (2017), Amphibia, The Owl House, and The Ghost and Molly McGee.
- Star Butterfly, Marco Diaz and Pony Head have made several appearances in Disney Channel's Chibi Tiny Tales and Chibiverse.
International release[]
Country | Language | Channel | Premiere date | Title | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canada | English | Disney XD | April 6, 2015 | Star vs. the Forces of Evil | [27] |
United Kingdom | April 16, 2015 | [28] | |||
Ireland | |||||
Malta | |||||
South Korea | Korean English (SAP) |
Disney Channel | June 15, 2015 | 프린세스 스타의 모험일기 "Princess Star's Adventure Diary" |
|
France | French English (SAP) |
June 25, 2015 | Star Butterfly | [29] | |
Switzerland | |||||
Bulgaria | Bulgarian English (SAP) |
July 18, 2015 | Звезда срещу силите на злото "Star against the Forces of Evil" |
[30] | |
Romania | Romanian English (SAP) |
Prinţesa Stea contra Forţelor Răului "Princess Star vs. Evil Forces" | |||
Germany | German English (SAP) |
Disney XD | July 20, 2015 | Star gegen die Mächte des Bösen "Star against the Forces of Evil" |
[31] |
Australia | English | August 3, 2015 | Star vs. the Forces of Evil | [32] | |
Taiwan | Mandarin Chinese English (SAP) |
Disney Channel | August 8, 2015 | 公主闖天關 "Princess Blast" |
|
Czech Republic | Czech English (SAP) |
August 15, 2015 | Star proti silám zla "Star against the Forces of Evil" |
[33] | |
Hungary | Hungarian English (SAP) |
Csillag kontra gonosz erők "Star vs. Evil Forces" | |||
Latin America | Latin American Spanish English (SAP) |
Disney XD | August 22, 2015 | Star vs las fuerzas del mal "Star vs. the Forces of Evil" |
[34] |
Brazil | Brazilian Portuguese English (SAP) |
Star vs as forças do mal "Star vs. the Forces of Evil" |
[35] | ||
Israel | Hebrew English (SAP) |
Disney Channel | September 1, 2015 | סטאר נגד כוחות הרשע "Star against Evil Forces" |
|
Scandinavia | Danish | Disney Channel | October 3, 2015 | Star vs. mørkets kræfte "Star and the Forces of Darkness" |
|
Norwegian | Star vs. mørkets kraft "Star vs. the Forces of Darkness" |
||||
Swedish | Star vs. mörkrets makter "Star vs. the Forces of Darkness" |
||||
Finnish (subtitles) |
Star vs. pahuuden voimat "Star vs. the Forces of Evil" |
||||
English | Star vs. the Forces of Evil | ||||
Russian | Звёздная принцесса и силы зла "Princess Star and the Forces of Evil" |
||||
Middle East and North Africa | English | Disney XD | October 4, 2015 | Star vs. the Forces of Evil | |
Poland | Polish English (SAP) |
October 19, 2015 | Star Butterfly kontra siły zła "Star vs. the Forces of Evil" |
||
Spain | Castilian Spanish English (SAP) |
October 24, 2015 | Star contra las fuerzas del mal "Star against the Forces of Evil" |
[36] | |
Italy | Italian | November 2, 2015 | Marco e Star contro le forze del male "Marco and Star against the Forces of Evil" |
[37] | |
Turkey | Turkish English (SAP) |
October 5, 2015 | Star Kötü Güçlere Karşı "Star against Evil Forces" |
[36] | |
Greece | Greek English (SAP) |
Η Σταρ και οι δυνάμεις του κακού "Star and the Forces of Evil" |
|||
Russia | Russian English (SAP) |
Disney Channel | Звёздная принцесса и силы зла "Princess Star and the Forces of Evil" |
||
Southeast Asia | English | Disney Channel | November 8, 2015 | Star vs. the Forces of Evil | [38][39] |
Indonesian | |||||
Mandarin Chinese | |||||
Malay | Star Menentang Kuasa Jahat "Star Against Evil Power" | ||||
Thai | เจ้าหญิงซ่ากับปีศาจเจ้าปัญหา "Wild Princess and Troublemaking Monsters" | ||||
Vietnamese (subtitles) |
Công Chúa Star Và Cuộc Chiến Với Các Thế Lực Yêu Quái "Star vs. the Forces of Evil" | ||||
The Netherlands | Dutch English (SAP) |
Disney XD | November 21, 2015 | Star vs. de kracht van het kwaad "Star vs. the Force of Evil" |
[40] |
Japan | Japanese English (SAP) |
Disney Channel | December 18, 2015 (sneak peek) January 15, 2016 (official) |
悪魔バスター★スター・バタフライ "Demon Buster: Star Butterfly" |
[41][42] |
Portugal | Portuguese English (SAP) |
Disney Channel | December 19, 2015 | Star contra as forças do mal "Star against the Forces of Evil" |
|
Schleswig-Holstein | German English (SAP) |
January 25, 2016 | Star gegen die Mächte des Bösen "Star against the Forces of Evil" |
||
Albania | Albanian | Bang Bang | 2022 | Ylli kundër forcave të së keqës
"Star against the Forces of Evil" |
[43] |
Gallery[]
External links[]
- Star vs. the Forces of Evil on Wikipedia
- Star vs. the Forces of Evil at the Internet Movie Database
- Star vs. the Forces of Evil on Behind the Voice Actors
References[]
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