Pucca is a flash animated series by the South Korean company Vooz Character Systems. Pucca first originated as a series of online flash episodes and it now airs on Toon Disney as part of Jetix.
Pucca is the young daughter of a Chinese noodle house (Go-Rong Restaurant in the middle of Sooga, an Oriental village that looks decidedly medieval, and yet has modern accoutrements like electricity and plumbing.) owner and she is hopelessly in love with the ninja Garu (a serious ninja who'd rather build his chi than chase girls). Garu tries desperately to avoid Pucca's advances and usually does not return her affection. This results in many comical situations as Pucca goes to great lengths just to steal a kiss from Garu. Expect to see lots of "funny love" antics involving everything from noodles to deadly ninjas.
Pucca characters are quite popular in Europe and Asia, with TV animation in cartoon channels in Europe and South America. These animations were compiled into a DVD, available in Germany. A UK children's book publisher (Hodder's) has also published a series of Pucca children books. Pucca has also attained a small, but dedicated cult following in the U.S. after its release on television through Disney and products featured in "Morning Glory" stationary stores across America, mainly in large malls. The UK also has Pucca pencil cases / tins which have become quite popular, stationery and notebooks / diaries. In Israel, a Pucca branded snack was launched on May, 2006.
There is also an ongoing manhwa series in Korea, which has been translated into Chinese and German, of Pucca and Garu traveling around the world through an enchanted board game. Their friend travelers include Abyo, Ching, Mio, Yani and Ssoso. Ching, Pucca's best friend, is in love with Abyo, who is Garu's best friend. Pucca has a cat named Yani who loves Garu's cat, Mio. Ssoso is a ninja like Garu, Mio, Abyo and Ching.
In the series, Pucca and Garu are the only human characters who very rarely speak (It is stated that Garu has taken a vow of silence). Instead, they communicate with giggles, grunts, and other various sounds (much like the online Flash cartoons). However, there are occasional instances in which Pucca can be heard to say one to three syllable phrases, and it is said by Ching that she is a good singer. This was shown in an episode where Pucca sang an opera song in a karaoke club.
There are plenty of colorful supporting characters, some of them clever like Abyo the Bruce Lee wannabe, and some of them crazy, like the cheerful but clueless Santa Claus. These Pucca characters provide not only comic relief but necessary exposition, as neither Pucca or Garu actually speak. In a smart carry-over from the internet Flash animations in which they first appeared, Pucca and Garu express themselves through grunts and giggles only. Nevertheless, their personalities are incredibly rich, thanks to lively animation and musical cues.
Pucca Episodes are fast-paced and action-packed, with lots of dramatic close-ups and whizzing single-color backgrounds. Though puppy love is at the show's core, there's a whole lot of running, jumping, and kung fu-fighting going on in the crust. Thankfully, the animators never fail to keep it all stylized, humorous, and exciting - and no one really gets hurt. Whether Pucca has to fight a flesh-eating fern with a taste for ninjas, or stop a volcanic eruption by purchasing a magic crystal from Santa, you can always expect to find Pucca doing what she does best - chasing and cuddling her beloved Garu - by the time the credits roll. Which is comforting, because it proves that the show's makers have effectively built upon the foundation laid by Vooz, and stayed true to the spirit of the characters in a most admirable way. Watch Pucca and smile.
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