Iridella - Rainbow Brite - The 1985 animated series
Rainbow (Rainbow Brite in the original English) is an animated series from the 80s based on the Hallmark media franchise of the same name. Produced by DIC Enterprises with animation provided by Japan's TMS Entertainment, the show began as part of DIC's Kideo TV anthology package.
In the series, Rainbow (Rainbow Brite) uses his magic belt to protect Rainbowland's colors from the evil Murky Dismal
History
A young girl named Wisp is taken to a dark and desolate land, on a mission to bring color to this imaginary world by identifying the "Sphere of Light". Along the way, he befriends a sprite named Twink and a talking horse named Starlite and finds a mysterious child who turns out to be the key to his mission. With the help of his new friends, Wisp locates the legendary Color Belt and rescues the seven Color Kids, who had been trapped by the King of Shadows. Using the colored belt, Wisp defeats the King of Shadows, frees the spirits and brings color and beauty to the land, hereafter called Rainbow Land. Wisp is renamed Rainbow Brite by the Sphere of Light in honor of his new role as leader of the Color Kids, who together are responsible for all the colors of the universe.
The Color Kids spread color across the universe from the Color Console inside the Color Castle. Each Color Kid is responsible for their respective color, has a personal sprite and manages a number of sprites of the same color that extract the colored crystals from the nearby Color Caves. These crystals are transformed into Star Sprinkles which are the essential components to illuminate and color any object or place. Rainbow Brite and Color Kids' mission is often complicated by characters like Murky Dismal, his partner Lurky, and other villains. Brian, a boy from Earth, sometimes assists Rainbow Brite in her adventures.
In the movie Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer, the setting expands to include the diamond planet Spectra. All light in the universe passes through ghosts before arriving on Earth. However, Earth soon falls into winter darkness when the diamond-obsessed Dark Princess decides to steal Spectra for herself. Rainbow Brite and her horse Starlite must team up with Spectra's warrior boy Krys and his robotic horse On-X to defeat the powers of darkness and save Spectra, the Earth and the universe.
Characters
Iridella - Rainbow Brite
The protagonist of the series. She is a compassionate and courageous girl whose mission is to make the world brighter and hearts lighter by replacing darkness with color and light. Rainbow Brite is aided in her adventures in Rainbow Land by her loyal companions Starlite and Twink, her closest friends Color Kids and her powerful Color Belt. Rainbow has a purple star-shaped beauty mark on her left cheek. In the 2014 reboot she is called the Sentinel of the Light.
White Elf - Twink
faithful friend and personal sprite of Iridella (Rainbow Brite). White Elf (Twink) is in charge of all the sprites in the Caves of Colors and is often left in charge when Iridella is away. Twink was originally a red Sprite until Murky Dismal removed its color, leaving it white. In the 2014 reboot, he is known as Mr. Glitters.
Brian
Brian is an 11-year-old Terran boy. He is often accompanied by his dog, Sam, and is the only person on Earth who can see Rainbow Brite. After befriending Rainbow Brite, Brian is given a key to access Rainbow Land from any lock. Despite initial feelings of competitiveness and inadequacy towards Red Butler and the other Color Kids, Brian has repeatedly proven himself to be a trusted and valiant ally. In the 2014 reboot, Rainbow Brite discovers that Brian is a descendant of Krys. When he jumps in front of an explosion destined for Rainbow Brite, his powers are activated, transforming him into a Sentinel of Light in a suit very similar to Krys.
White Star - Starlite
Iridella's faithful friend (Rainbow Brite) and selfish talking horse. He often refers to himself as "the most magnificent horse in the universe". Stella Bianca (Starlite) plows through the skies galloping on rainbows but in some episodes and books flies without wings or other means of propulsion. It is white with a yellow star on the forehead and a rainbow colored mane and tail. Stella Bianca (Starlite) is strong, fast, courageous and typically quite perceptive, although he can be extremely jealous if he perceives another horse as competition.
Red Butler
It is responsible for the red color. Red Butler's personality is adventurous and bold. He is always ready for new adventures and always ready to save anyone in need, but his bold and daring personality can also be his weakness. Although Red is usually a charming talker, his long-winded stories of his heroic exploits can bore other Color Kids. He is a skilled trumpet player. The name and character derive from “Rhett Butler”, one of the main protagonists of Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind.
Lala Orange
It is responsible for the orange color. Lala Orange's personality is romantic and elegant. A fashion-oriented Type A personality, Lala can seem a little pushy and bossy at times, although she usually has good intentions. Lala has a secret crush on Red Butler.
Canary Yellow
It is responsible for the yellow color. Canary Yellow's personality is cheerful and optimistic. Her relaxed and easygoing nature can make her naive at times, making her an easy target for Murky Triste. Canary Yellow is a skilled flute player and dancer.
Patty Green
It is responsible for the green color. Patty O'Green's personality is naughty and lively. Patty likes to play practical pranks on her friends, although her genuine sweetness usually forgives any upset. Love life and nature. It can be proud at times and is known to boast that life on Earth could not thrive without its color. Patty is a skilled clarinet player (Murky's Comet).
Buddy Blue
It is responsible for the blue color. Buddy Blue's personality is athletic and valiant. He lives and breathes fitness and excels in every sport. If Buddy doesn't play sports or train, chances are he finds himself meditating on the peace and calm of Rainbow Land's blue skies and waters. He always strives to bring peace and order to any conflict between his friends. Buddy is a skilled tuba player.
Indachella - Indigo
It is responsible for the indigo color. Indigo's personality is dramatic and creative. After all, she is an actress, who often makes big entries in imaginative costumes or recites lines from famous comedies. More than anything else, Indigo wants to be an actress and is often seen rehearsing for her big break. Some find her overly dramatic or call her a dreamer, but Indigo sees herself as an artist with aspirations. He also plays the drums. She is the only non-white Color Kid.
Shy Violet
It is responsible for the purple color. Shy Violet's personality is intellectual and resourceful. You can often find her reading, writing or working on her theories about color. Shy Violet is Rainbow Brite's Color Kid for troubleshooting. Although Violet is extremely shy, she never hesitates to speak up when offering advice; and when she speaks, the other Color Kids listen.
Tickled Pink
Tickled Pink is in charge of mixing the Color Crystals and creating pastels and other new colors such as aqua, magenta, etc. She is in charge of the female Sprites, but like Stormy she doesn't have a personal Sprite. Tickled Pink is a talented drumstick twirler. Along with Moonglow and Stormy, Tickled Pink was designed by Mattel rather than Hallmark.
Romeo
Red Butler sprite. It is responsible for the red spirits that extract the red colored crystals which are transformed into red star sprays. Romeo can be extremely affectionate, even towards the villains of Rainbow Land.
GU - The sprite of Lala Orange.
He is responsible for the orange spirits that mine the orange colored crystals which are transformed into splashes of orange stars. Its name is a reference to orange juice.
Spark - Canary Yellow sprite.
It is responsible for the yellow spirits that extract the yellow colored crystals which are transformed into yellow sprinkled stars.
Lucky: Patty O'Green's sprite
He is the one in charge of the green spirits who mine the green colored crystals which are transformed into green star sprays.
Champ: Buddy Blue's sprite.
He is responsible for the blue spirits that mine the blue colored crystals which are transformed into blue Star Sprinkles.
Hammy: the Indigo sprite.
It is responsible for the indigo spirits that mine the indigo colored crystals which are transformed into indigo star sprays. The name derives from Indigo who often 'hammered' him in his dramatic productions.
IQ - The Shy Violet sprite.
It is responsible for the purple spirits that mine the purple colored crystals which are transformed into splashes of purple stars.
Dee Lite: Pink's sprite tickled.
It helps to mix the colored crystals to create other colors like aqua, magenta, etc.
Bad
Murky Dismal
The main antagonist for most of the series, he is on several occasions in the employ of the Dark Princess and the King of Shadows. He resides in Rainbow Land's last, lonely dark area called Pits with his clumsy sidekick, Lurky. Constantly try to foil Rainbow Brite's mission by capturing Rainbow Brite's Colored Crystals, Sprites, Color Kids or Colored Belt. His full name is Murkwell Dismal, and he is both smart and incompetent as a villain. Murky is over 700 years old.
Monstromurk
The brilliant creation of Murky Dismal. Monstromurk was sealed in a bottle seven hundred years ago after Murky lost control of his own creation. When he escaped, Monstromurk enslaved his creator and nearly destroyed all of Rainbow Land by draining everything he touched of color with his powerful bursts of energy.
Robot Brite
Murky Dismal's double robotic Rainbow Brite was Robot Brite, created to impersonate Rainbow Brite in a ploy to rob the Color Caves of all their colored crystals.
Lurky
Murky Dismal's massive but dull aide. It somewhat resembles a giant brown Sprite with a large furry nose. Unlike Murky, Lurky often dabbles in "all beautiful colors!" Lurky is generally good-natured and usually, if unintentionally, thwarts Murky's plans through his clumsy nature. Despite his size, awkwardness and association with Murky, Lurky is quite kind. Murky often refers to Lurky as Banana Brain, Cabbage Brain, Pancake Brain, or some variation of them.
The King of Shadows
A dark and mysterious being who ruled Rainbow Land before Rainbow Brite arrived, when the world was still a dark and wasteland filled with monstrous beasts. He imprisoned the seven Color Kids in different locations across the country. His tyrannical rule ended when he was destroyed by Rainbow Brite.
The Princess of Diamonds - The Dark Princess
He lives in a palace in space and tries to steal the diamond planet, Spectra. She is spoiled and greedy, even going so far as to steal Rainbow's colorful belt after seeing its power. He has a magical jewel which is the source of his power, although it is destroyed due to the combined power of Krys and Rainbow Brite. She is later seen descending into the Caves of Colors announcing herself as the Queen of the Goblins in an attempt to force the Goblins to mine diamonds. She dresses in black with a jeweled gold headdress that adorns her auburn hair. He often carries a Pomeranian-sized diamond on a leash as a pet and employs many subordinates to carry out his bidding. The character returns in the 2014 reboot voiced by Molly Ringwald.
Count Blogg
The right arm of the Dark Princess. He has green skin with pupilless red eyes, a long gray beard and fangs.
Sergeant Zombo
Guardian of the Prison Planet and servant of the Dark Princess. He has purple skin and wears partial armor with what appears to be a military uniform. His eyes are deep purple with yellow pupils.
Glitterbots
Large golden robots tasked with keeping the Sprites of Spectra under control by order of Sgt. Zombo. The glittering robots enslave prisoners through hypnotic ocular beams, powered by large crimson jewels set in their skulls.
Episodes
01 - The land of the rainbow is born, part I (Beginning of Rainbowland (Part 1)) - How did Iridella (Rainbow Brite) come to Rainbow Land? Well, Rainbow Land hasn't always been bright and beautiful. It was once a colorless wasteland, ruled by a force of evil that took the form of wind and storm. A little girl named Wisp was sent to find the light and color of this wasteland and free it. His only hope is to find the magic belt of colors, but many obstacles stand in his way.
02 - In search of the sphere of light, part II (Beginning of Rainbowland (Part 2)) - Wisp has found the magical colored belt, and now with his friends Twink Sprite and Starlite, he must find the 7 Color Kids and together they will have to defeat the King of Shadows to set the free color. But Murky Dismal and Lurky, the minions of the evil force, are still trying to stop her!
03 - Iridella finds a friend (Peril in the pits) - While trying to cheer up an 11-year-old boy named Brian, Rainbow Brite accidentally covers him in colors and has to take him to Rainbow Land to remove them. While in Rainbow Land, Murky Dismal and his assistant Lurky have plans and cause trouble by kidnapping the Color Kids! Helped by her horse Starlite, favorite Sprite Twink and new friend Brian, Rainbow Brite must now save the day.
04 - Everyone against Monsomurk (The Mighty Monstromurk Menace, Part I) Rainbow Land is a disaster when one of Murky Dismal's most dangerous creations called Monstromurk escapes his prison with a plan to become the king of Rainbow Land and destroy all colors!
05 - Murky's defeat (The Mighty Monstromurk Menace, Part II) - The storyline continues and deepens in this second part of Monstromurk Menace's adventure as Murky trapped Rainbow Brite in a magical bottle and now it's up to her friends to rescue her.
Season 2 (1986)
06 - The first day of spring (Invasion of Rainbowland) - A space alien named Wajah has crashed over Rainbow Land and needs Rainbow Brite's help to get home. It turns out that the alien himself eats the colors and when Murky Dismal finds out, he plans to keep Wajah in the land of the rainbow with the hope of destroying him! Howard R. Cohen
07 - The great race (Mom) Dismal's mom comes to visit, Murky goes out of his way to try to impress his mom by telling her that HE is in charge of Rainbow Land. This little lie takes on a life of its own as it attempts to conquer the land of the rainbow and darken it while Rainbow Brite is away. Howard R. Cohen
08 - The queen of the elves (Rainbow Night) - Murky Dismal attempts to take all the color from the night when he kidnaps Moonglow, the black guy who makes the night shine. Now Rainbow Brite must save her or risk dark nights forever. Howard R. Cohen
09 - Polvere di stelle (Star Sprinkled) When a sneaky intergalactic salesman tricks Twink into signing the Caves of Colors, Rainbow Brite and her friends must convince him that they need them for more than just a profit. N / A
10 - Hunting for Iridella (Chasing Rainbows) - Murky Dismal tries his greatest trick, creating a "Rainbow Brite Robot" to fool his friends! But can they be fooled for a long time? N / A
11 - The night of Iridella (Murky's Comet) When a wizard trades to repair a spaceship with a spell to destroy Rainbow Land with a comet, Rainbow Brite must find a way to stop him before he crashes into colorful caves and destroys Rainbow Land. Felicia Maliani
12 - Murky's comet (A Horse of a Different Color) Murky Dismal kidnaps Starlite and On-X in a horse race with a plan to pollute Rainbow Land, but with the help of Sunriser, a new Rainbow Land horse, his plans are soon undone! Howard R. Cohen
13 - The invasion of the land of the rainbow (The Queen of the Sprites) The dark princess from the movie Star Stealer returns for another showdown with Rainbow Brite and her attempt to become the queen of spirits and conquer Rainbow Land!
Technical data
Original title Rainbow Brite
Original language English
Country United States
Author Jean Chalopin
Regia Bruno Bianchi, Bernard Deyries, Rich Rudish
Subject Howard R. Cohen
Studio DiC Enterprises
Network Syndication
1st TV 1984
Episodes 13 (complete)
Episode duration 20 min.
Italian network Italia 1
1st TV Italian 1986
Italian episodes 13 (complete)
Duration of Italian episodes 20 min.
Followed by Iridella and the star thief
