Geek It! Animation Flashback: Captain Planet

“Earth! Fire! Wind! Water! Heart! GO PLANET!

With your powers combined … I am Captain Planet!”

Ahh, the iconic theme song to Captain Planet. For those who don’t remember, CAPTAIN PLANET AND THE PLANETEERS is an American environmentalist show that first aired in 1990.

With Earth in danger, the noble spirit of the Earth, Gaia, calls on five chosen Planeteers to prevent disasters from happening. The Planeteers consist of Kwame (Earth), Wheeler (Fire), Linka (Wind), Gi (Water) and Ma-Ti (Heart). In situations that the Planeteers cannot resolve alone, they combine their powers to summon ‘Captain Planet’ — also known as the superhero who possesses all of the Planeteers’ powers.

It is no easy task to save the world and it is also not-so-easy to encourage young children to be environmentally-friendly.

Captain Planet and the Planeteers defies this attitude as it essentially teaches children to be mindful about the environment; and utilising one’s abilities to achieve goodness in the world. And it doesn’t stop there! There is also an emphasis on the value of teamwork; and that greatness will come from cooperation and passion in order to make the world a better place.

It’s education and entertainment at the same time — why not?  

Besides achieving great success in delivering their mission through the show, it has made a significant impact on the real world as well. Launched in 2010, the ‘Planeteer Movement’ was created for fans of the show to unite as one, and integrating the show’s messages into their everyday lives as real-life Planeteers. If that’s not cool then we don’t know what is!

Do you remember Captain Planet? Let’s relive your memory with the first episode!

— ENDS —