Return to the Planet of the Apes

Return to the Planet of the Apes is an American animated series that was first aired on NBC from 1975 to 1976. This 13-episode series was a spin-off to the famous Planet of the Apes movie franchise, with the storyline revolving around a similar poster-apocalyptic world ruled by intelligent primates and where humans exist as second-class citizens or slaves.

While retaining the essence of the original Planet of the Apes cinema-series, the animated show extended the narrative using its multiple-episodic format. It narrates stories of futuristic worlds and adventures, embedded within a dystopian yet fascinating perspective of a world under the custody of apes. Extraordinary, quirky, and attention-captivating, the animated series left a distinctive mark in the Saturday-morning kids' programming of the 1970s.

The main characters in Return to the Planet of the Apes are a trio of astronauts – Bill Hudson, Jeff Allen, and Judy Franklin – who traverse through time and space due to space anomaly and find themselves on a planet apparently ruled by apes. A staple in science fiction, the concept of time travel is smartly integrated to explain the descent into a future Earth dominated by intelligent apes, simian societies, and human repression.

The narrative explores the existential struggles of the astronauts as they strive to keep their identity hidden, while struggling to evade the wrath of the ape authorities, especially General Urko, who does not take kindly to humans that defy the established social hierarchy. Being scientists of their time, the astronauts' natural curiosity leads them to uncover the mystery behind ape supremacy.

Anti-heroic villains such as General Urko and Dr. Zaius, a conservative statesman amongst the apes, set the stage for an engaging conflict of interests. Their contrary perspectives about humanity’s worth keep the plot armored with suspense. In contrast, the series also introduced ape characters with positive traits, such as the peace-loving, human-sympathizer ape-couple Zira and Cornelius, which adds delicate layers to the thematic narrative.

While the storyline focused primarily on action, adventure, and suspense, it did not shy away from addressing deeper issues of societal standards, prejudice, and racial bigotry. The makers capably used the animated format to incorporate these heavy subjects with lighter overtones.

The animation style befits the era it was created in, with its vivid and bold visual aesthetic. The character designs are simple but sharply defined, retaining the spirit of the original Planet of the Apes movies. Although not laden with high-tech special effects, the innovative storyline along with the visual charm distinct to that decade more than made up for it. Interestingly, the collaboration of comic legends Doug Wildey and Jack Kirby further augmented the appeal of the series, given their significant influence on the overall art design and storyboarding.

In terms of sound design, the series boasts of an ear-caressing, engaging background score, courtesy of legendary composer Dean Elliot. The music blends perfectly into the mystical narrative canvas, enhancing the viewing experience.

The voiceover performances in Return to the Planet of the Apes deserve a special mention. The legendary voice artists including Austin Stoker, Philippa Harris, Richard Blackburn, Edwin Mills, Claudette Nevins, and others breathed life into the animated characters, substantially contributing to the overall appeal of the series, and creating memorable, engaging characters.

One may argue that Return to the Planet of the Apes often kept pacing its narratives to hold the attention of young viewers with its plot-driven episodes. Yet, its true charm lies in its ability to successfully transfer the intriguing concept of a planet ruled by apes from the silver screen onto the realm of the animated television series. Serving as a fitting homage to the original Planet of the Apes, this animated series elicits a warm, nostalgic charm, transporting the viewers into a wildly imaginative world offering a medley of adventure, action, and thought-provoking themes. It is sure to offer a treat for fans of the franchise, animation enthusiasts and curious first-time watchers alike.