Summary
All five He-Man shows have their good and bad points, with some being more enjoyable than others.
The New Adventures of He-Man
is the weakest in the franchise.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
is a modern reinterpretation aimed at new audiences, so it may disappoint nostalgic adult fans.
Masters of the Universe: Revelation
is a brilliant series that maintains the quirks that made the original series great, but it received criticism for sidelining the main characters.
Masters of the Universe is a well-established media franchise that has produced five animated TV series over the years. The initial series premiered back in the early 1980s, while two more recent ones hit the small screen in the 2020s. Throughout the franchise's evolution, the animation style, voice cast, and character lineup have changed, but the core theme of the eternal battle between good and evil remains constant.
At the center of the franchise is He-Man, a courageous warrior renowned for his unmatched physical prowess and wielder of the powerful Sword of Grayskull. Alongside He-Man, a loyal group of allies joins forces to thwart the nefarious Skeletor's plans of universal domination. This franchise has captivated fantasy enthusiasts of various generations and shows no signs of slowing down. Each of the five He-Man shows has its own merits and flaws, with some being more enjoyable to watch than others.
5 The New Adventures Of He-Man (1990)
The New Adventures of He-Man was originally intended to be a direct continuation of the 1983 series. However, when the parent company of the original production company shut down, this caused disruptions to the plans. Despite being set in the same continuity as the original, this series has a completely different storyline, a new cast of Canadian voice actors, and introduces new supporting characters. The lead characters in this series also undergo significant physical changes compared to those in the original '80s show.
In this iteration, He-Man is called upon to save the futuristic planet Primus from an onslaught of evil mutants from the nearby world of Denebria. Unfortunately, Skeletor allies himself with the mutants and becomes a formidable adversary. While the animation quality is decent, the character designs are uninspiring. The dramatic shift in tone from the original series is quite jarring and disrupts the intended continuity of The New Adventures of He-Man. Overall, this particular Masters of the Universe cartoon is considered the weakest by far.
4 He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe (2021-2022)
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The 2021 series, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, is the sole computer-animated adaptation of the original show. It presents a contemporary reimagining, introducing Prince Adam as a member of a forest tribe suffering from amnesia. This condition arose when his uncle Keldor betrayed their family, resulting in their separation. By chance, Prince Adam discovers the Sword of Power, which leads to his transformation into the heroic He-Man, fulfilling his destined role.
While He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is an enjoyable series, its primary target audience comprises of individuals unfamiliar with the original show. Those seeking to revisit the nostalgia of the Masters of the Universe franchise may find it lacking. Nevertheless, the show boasts captivating animation, clever dialogue, and promotes positive values pertaining to teamwork, family, and good conduct. Despite deviating from the original series, it remains one of the top-rated animated shows on Netflix, albeit as a distinct iteration of the franchise sharing the same character names.
3 Masters Of The Universe: Revelation (2021)
Kevin Smith's Masters of the Universe: Revelation is a sequel to the original series, disregarding The New Adventures of He-Man. It kicks off with a siege on Castle Grayskull that leads to a deadly confrontation between He-Man and Skeletor. The focus then turns to Teela, who must unravel the mysteries of the Sword of Power to save reality from destruction. He-Man and Skeletor eventually make a comeback, reigniting their rivalry with a vengeance.
Masters of the Universe: Revelation boasts an exceptional voice cast, featuring Mark Hamill, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Liam Cunningham, Lena Headey, Alicia Silverstone, Stephen Root, and Tony Todd. The show is both intelligent and fresh, while also capturing the essence that made the original series beloved. It caters to an adult audience, delivering intense battles between He-Man and Skeletor throughout its duration. The main criticism lies in the initial sidelining of He-Man and Skeletor in the first season, although this allows other characters to shine, which can be seen as a positive aspect.
2 He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe (2002-2004)
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, the current version, serves as a reboot to the 1980s series. Michael Halperin, the creator of the original, also played a role in its development. Consequently, the plot closely mirrors that of the source material. Just like its predecessor, the focus lies on Prince Adam, a young individual who discovers his destined path to become the mighty hero He-Man. His mission? To utilize his newfound power in order to defend the realms of Eternia and Castle Grayskull against the malicious forces of Skeletor.
During the early 2000s, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe coincided with the revival of the franchise by toymaker Mattel. This revival aimed to engage both loyal fans of the original series and new enthusiasts. Although the characters received modernized designs to attract fresh viewers, the storylines remained familiar. This was due to the return of the original show's writers, who came back onboard. Additionally, the show introduced various beloved characters from the original toy line onto the screen, a nostalgic gesture towards those who had owned them in the 80s. Impressively, the animation is of high quality, and the voice cast delivers outstanding performances. Furthermore, this version of the show exceeds others in character development, providing detailed origins for all the characters.
1 He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe (1983-1985)
The original He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, based on the popular toy line by Mattel in 1982, continues to stand as the ultimate version. This classic series follows Prince Adam, his powerful alter-ego He-Man, and their heroic allies as they bravely combat Skeletor and his army of evil warriors on the planet Eternia. Despite facing criticism for its tie-in to toy sales, it remains a brilliant show.
Drawing inspiration from various fictional sources, the original He-Man and the Masters of the Universe showcases a diverse range of unique and fascinating characters. With humans, aliens, monsters, robots, giants, and countless other creatures, it brings to life the imaginative world of fiction. This vibrant series not only captures attention with its colorful visuals, but also delivers engaging stories that convey important moral lessons in every episode. It stands as Filmation's most successful series, one of the top children's cartoons from the 1980s, and an enduring classic in the realm of animation. Without a doubt, it is responsible for keeping Masters of the Universe relevant even in today's times.
