Pac-Man: The Animated Series

When Pac-Man chomped his way into Saturday Morning Cartoons.

In the effervescent era of 1980s entertainment, where Saturday morning cartoons reigned supreme and video games had become a cultural phenomenon, a vibrant yellow character named Pac-Man made an astonishing leap from the arcade screens to the television screens, captivating the hearts of millions. The year was 1982, and the Pac-Man cartoon burst onto the scene, forever altering how we perceived the Pac family and leaving an indelible mark on the annals of animation history.

For enthusiasts like myself, who were addicted to both Pac-Man and Saturday Morning Cartoons, the announcement of Pac-Man getting his own show was akin to a dream come true. Produced by the renowned Hanna-Barbera Productions and based on the Namco video game franchise, the Pac-Man animated series debuted on ABC on September 25, 1982. It was a groundbreaking moment, marking the first instance of a video game inspiring a cartoon series, a move that would later become a trendsetter in the industry.

Adventures in Pac-Land

Set in the fantastical realm of Pac-Land, the show revolved around the escapades of Pac-Man, his wife Pepper (Ms. Pac-Man), their child Pac-Baby, their loyal dog Chomp-Chomp, and their cunning cat Sour Puss. Pac-Land, a world defined by sphere-like shapes, provided the perfect backdrop for the ongoing battles between the Pac family and their adversaries, the Ghost Monsters: Blinky, Inky, Pinky, Clyde, and Sue. Their mission? To protect the city's primary food and power source, the elusive "Power Pellets," from the clutches of the nefarious Mezmaron, who sought to control this potent energy for his wicked schemes.

Another memorable part of the show was the widespread incorporation of the prefix "Pac-" in various verbs and well-known nouns, such as Pac-Hollywood, a renowned hub for film studios. This trend bears similarities to animated series like Smurfs and Snorks, where existing words were substituted or modified with "Smurf" or "Snork".

Arcade to Television Success

Upon its debut, Pac-Man quickly became a cultural touchstone. It held the title of the highest-rated Saturday morning cartoon show in the US during late 1982. Over 20 million children, along with adults, tuned in every week to witness the colorful adventures of Pac-Man and his family, cementing the show's status as a beloved classic that resonated across generations.

Pac-Man's success on TV was quickly influential. Its popularity inspired rival networks, such as CBS, to create similar shows like Saturday Supercade, featuring other characters from the golden age of video arcade games.

Additionally, subsequent Namco games, including Pac-Land and Pac-Man 2: The New Adventures, drew inspiration from the cartoon series, further demonstrating its enduring impact on both the gaming and animation industries.

However, Pac-Man's journey was not without controversy. The National Coalition on Television (NCTV) raised concerns about the show's portrayal of violence, placing Pac-Man on their list of cartoons allegedly glorifying aggression. Despite this scrutiny, the series continued to captivate audiences, leaving an indelible legacy that persists to this day, challenging the conventional norms of animated storytelling.

They would actually change some of the depictions of violence in the show. In earlier seasons when a Pac-Being was beat by a ghost they look almost like they were deflated. This would be a lot less severe in future episodes. Here is a video supercut of Pac-Man violence, and you can see some differences (and some highlights from the show).

A Great Cast

Central to the show's charm was its talented cast. Marty Ingels, a versatile voice artist, was the man behind Pac-Man's iconic voice. Ingels, previously known for his work in various cartoons and commercials, brought Pac-Man to life with his distinctive tone, endearing him to audiences worldwide. Barbara Minkus lent her vocals to the spirited Pepper (Ms. Pac-Man), while Russi Taylor portrayed the endearing Pac-Baby. Allan Lurie breathed life into the menacing Mezmaron, making him a villain to be remembered.

How Ingels got the role is a fun story. The details in this story change based on where you read it, but here is the gist. In the early 1980s, he had shifted away from acting and was operating as a talent agent. One day, while he was trying to secure a job for his client Robert Culp, he had a phone conversation with a producer. Unbeknownst to Ingels, the producer recorded the call and shared it with Hanna-Barbera. Impressed, Hanna-Barbera immediately wanted to cast Ingels as Pac-Man. However, the producer had to reach out to Ingels again and persuade him to accept the role, which he eventually did.

Pac Music

Music on the show, including the theme song, was provided by the animation music legend, Hoyt Curtin. Curtin was the mastermind behind the iconic theme songs of numerous Hanna-Barbera cartoons, such as The Flintstones (until 1981), Top Cat, The Jetsons, Jonny Quest, Super Friends, Josie and the Pussycats, The Smurfs, and The New Scooby-Doo Movies, including all its spinoffs until 1986.

Starting in 1960, Curtin created many stock tunes used as background music in various Hanna-Barbera series, even composing the jingle beneath Hanna-Barbera's closing logo in 1979. His musical talent extended to films, including Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959), although he found the film's quality embarrassing. In 1960, Curtin composed for the animated series Q.T. Hush, one of the earliest color cartoons.

His diverse portfolio also includes scoring the sci-fi film Mesa of Lost Women (1953), Ed Wood's Jail Bait (1954, credited as Hoyt Kurtain), Timber Tramps (1975), and C.H.O.M.P.S. (1979). Curtin contributed the music for the 1978 Sandy Frank cartoon Battle of the Planets, which led to a soundtrack release in 2000. Additionally, he composed and conducted the music for Thrillerama Adventure in 1955, a unique attempt at replicating Cinerama, employing a 38-piece orchestra for the project.

If you have not listened to much of Curtin’s music, please take a few minutes to check out his work on Johnny Quest. Its REALLY good stuff.

Halloween and Christmas in Pac-Land

Pac-Man transcended the Saturday morning slot with two primetime holiday specials. The Halloween special, featuring segments "Pacula" and "Trick or Chomp," aired on October 30, 1982. Meanwhile, "Christmas Comes to Pac-Land" showcased Pac-Man and his family aiding Santa Claus after a mishap in Pac-Land, blending the festive spirit with the excitement of the Pac-Man universe. These specials, filled with festive charm, have become cherished classics, replayed on channels like Cartoon Network and Boomerang during the respective holidays, ensuring their place in the hearts of viewers for decades to come.

Home Video Releases

The show's enduring popularity led to various home video releases, ensuring that its magic reached audiences far beyond its original air dates. In 1982, a VHS compilation titled "Pac-Man and Family" made its way to audiences in Australia, featuring episodes like "Journey to the Center of Pac-Land" and the heartwarming special "Christmas Comes to Pac-Land." In 2012, Warner Archive released both seasons of Pac-Man on DVD in region 1, allowing new generations to experience the magic of Pac-Land, bridging the gap between nostalgia and contemporary viewership.

If physical media is not your thing, the show is often available to stream in places like YouTube.

With its unforgettable characters, engaging storylines, and enduring charm, Pac-Man carved a special place in the hearts of viewers, leaving a legacy that continues to shine a brightly as a power pellet, reminding us of the joyous Saturday mornings spent in the delightful world of Pac-Land. It is an early representation of the change that games would bring to the rest of pop culture, and its success would help to pave the way for all the video game related entertainment that would follow.