The Ewoks Animated Series: A Complete Guide
Before the Clone Wars, before Rebels, and long before the era of prestige animated Star Wars storytelling, there was a Saturday morning cartoon about a tribe of furry forest dwellers on a distant moon. The Ewoks animated series, which aired on ABC from 1985 to 1986, was one of the earliest expansions of the Star Wars universe beyond the theatrical films -- and it remains a charming, underappreciated chapter in Ewok history.
Origins of the Series
Following the massive success of Return of the Jedi in 1983 and the strong ratings of the first Ewok TV movie in 1984, Lucasfilm saw an opportunity to bring the Ewoks to Saturday morning television. The result was Ewoks, an animated series produced by Nelvana, the Canadian animation studio that had previously created the animated segment of the infamous Star Wars Holiday Special (which, for all its flaws, introduced Boba Fett to the world).
The series was developed under the supervision of Lucasfilm and premiered on September 7, 1985. It was initially paired with Droids, another animated Star Wars series focused on the adventures of C-3PO and R2-D2, under the umbrella title The Ewoks and Droids Adventure Hour. When Droids was cancelled after one season, Ewoks continued on its own for a second season.
The show is set before the events of Return of the Jedi, depicting Wicket and his friends as younger Ewoks navigating the wonders and dangers of life on the forest moon of Endor. There are no Rebels, no Empire, and no galactic conflict -- just the rich, magical world of the Ewoks themselves.
Main Characters
The animated series features a core cast of young Ewok characters, most of whom were either introduced or significantly expanded from their brief film appearances:
Wicket W. Warrick
Our hero. In the animated series, Wicket is portrayed as a young, adventurous Ewok who is brave to the point of recklessness. He is constantly getting into trouble, but his good heart and determination always see him through. Wicket is the audience's entry point into the world of Endor, and his curiosity drives most of the show's storylines.
Princess Kneesaa a Jari Kintaka
Kneesaa is the daughter of Chief Chirpa and one of Wicket's closest friends. She is intelligent, compassionate, and often the voice of reason in the group. Kneesaa is a skilled warrior in her own right, and the series gives her agency and depth that makes her one of the strongest characters. Her royal status occasionally creates tension, as she balances her duties to the tribe with her desire for adventure.
Teebo
Teebo is the group's sensitive, artistic soul. An apprentice to Logray the medicine man, Teebo has an affinity for nature and a budding talent for magic. He is more cautious than Wicket but no less brave when the situation demands it. The animated series portrays Teebo as a poet and dreamer, giving him a rich inner life that makes him a fan favorite.
Latara
Latara is the group's spirited, sometimes vain, but ultimately loyal friend. She is an aspiring musician who dreams of fame and excitement beyond the village. Latara provides much of the show's humor with her dramatic reactions and bold personality, but she always comes through for her friends when it matters.
Logray
The village medicine man and shaman, Logray serves as mentor to the young Ewoks and guardian of the tribe's magical traditions. He is wise, sometimes stern, and deeply knowledgeable about the mystical forces that permeate Endor. Logray's magical abilities play a significant role in many episodes.
Chief Chirpa
The leader of Bright Tree Village, Chirpa appears regularly as the authority figure who sends the young Ewoks on missions or who must be convinced to take action against various threats. He is depicted as a fair and thoughtful leader.
Season One (1985)
The first season consists of 13 episodes and establishes the core formula of the show. Each episode typically features Wicket and his friends encountering a new threat to the village or embarking on an adventure in the forests and beyond.
Key episodes and storylines from Season One include:
- "The Cries of the Trees" -- The Ewoks discover that the ancient trees of Endor are being threatened, leading to an environmental adventure that highlights the Ewoks' deep connection to their forest home.
- "The Haunted Village" -- A spooky adventure in which the Ewoks must confront a mysterious force that has taken over a neighboring settlement.
- "Rampage of the Phlogs" -- Giant creatures called Phlogs threaten Bright Tree Village, and the Ewoks must use their wits to redirect the danger.
- "The Land of the Gupins" -- The Ewoks encounter a race of shape-shifting creatures, expanding the ecology and mythology of Endor.
- "Sunstar vs. Shadowstone" -- A two-part adventure involving powerful magical artifacts that became central to the show's lore. The Sunstar and Shadowstone represent light and dark forces on Endor.
The first season has a lighter, more episodic tone. Episodes are largely self-contained, with a focus on adventure, humor, and gentle moral lessons. The animation style is colorful and expressive, with detailed backgrounds that bring the forests of Endor to vibrant life.
Season Two (1986)
The second season brought significant changes. The show was retitled simply Ewoks (dropping the Droids pairing), and the creative team shifted toward a more serialized and mature approach. The animation quality improved, character designs were refined, and the storytelling became more ambitious.
Season Two consists of 22 episodes (aired as 11 half-hour blocks of two segments each) and introduces more complex villains and longer story arcs:
- Duloks -- A rival species of swamp-dwelling creatures who serve as recurring antagonists. Led by the scheming King Gorneesh, the Duloks provide both comic villainy and genuine menace.
- Morag the Tulgah Witch -- A powerful sorceress who threatens the Ewoks across multiple episodes, raising the stakes with dark magic and sinister plots.
- New environments -- Season Two expands the geography of Endor considerably, taking the Ewoks to oceans, deserts, underground caverns, and floating islands.
The second season is widely regarded as the stronger of the two, with tighter writing, higher stakes, and more emotional depth. Episodes explore themes of loss, responsibility, and the challenges of growing up -- all through the lens of Ewok village life.
The World of Endor
One of the animated series' greatest contributions is its expansion of Endor's ecology and mythology. The show introduces dozens of new species, cultures, and magical elements:
- Creatures: Bordoks (horse-like mounts), Lantern Birds, Grudakks, Phlogs, and many more
- Rival cultures: The Duloks, the Tulgah witches, various wandering tribes
- Magic system: The Ewoks' world is suffused with nature magic, with artifacts like the Sunstar and Shadowstone serving as focal points of power
- Geography: Mountains, swamps, underground rivers, floating forests, and crystalline caves
This rich world-building gives Endor a depth and texture that the films only hint at. For fans who want to understand what daily life is like for the Ewoks, the animated series is the definitive source.
Legacy and Where to Watch
The Ewoks animated series ran for two seasons before being cancelled in 1987. It produced a total of 35 episodes across both seasons, along with a handful of related comic books and storybooks.
For years, the series was difficult to find, surviving mainly through fan recordings and bootleg copies. Today, both seasons are available on Disney+, where they have found a new audience among fans exploring the deeper corners of the Star Wars universe.
The show's influence can be felt in later Star Wars animated productions. Its willingness to explore the everyday lives of non-human characters, to build mythology beyond the main saga, and to tell stories that balance adventure with emotional depth paved the way for series like The Clone Wars and Rebels.
Worth Your Time
The Ewoks animated series is not high art. It is a Saturday morning cartoon from the mid-1980s, with all the limitations and charms that entails. But it is also a genuine, heartfelt expansion of the Star Wars universe -- one that gives the Ewoks room to be more than comic relief or cute merchandise. It shows them as a community with rich traditions, complex relationships, and real courage.
If you call yourself an Ewok fan, this series is essential viewing. The tribe is waiting for you.
Allayloo ta nuv.