Strawberry Shortcake is an American preschool direct-to-videoanimated series produced by DIC Entertainment Corporation and American Greetings based on the franchise of the same name that debuted in March 2003. The series consists of 45 episodes, plus one short and one movie. Part of the series was broadcast on television including by CBS, HBO, and HBO Family, and in broadcast syndication. None of the voice actors from the 1980s Strawberry Shortcake animated specials returned to reprise their roles, with producers instead opting for younger and lesser known voice actors.
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment began releasing the series direct-to-video in the United States beginning in March 2003. The first few episodes were released on both VHS and DVD, and bundled with certain toys; later episodes were only released on DVD. They are also available on VideoCD through various fourth party licensees in South-East Asia and in certain other markets. The first four videos contain only one story but run for twice the length of subsequent episodes.
From Season 2 onwards, the VHS tapes and DVDs are presented as "compilations" in which Strawberry recounts the featured adventures using her "remembering book" or for Season 4, showcases the featured stories as simple flashbacks.
22 Volumes (1 including the movie) have been released for the series overall.
In the United States, although promoted as a direct-to-video series, the series did air on television as well.
In 2003, Season 1 gained one-off airings on HBO and HBO Family.[4]
In January 2006, shortened Season 1 and Season 2 episodes aired on Mondays within the Program B slot (which mainly aired on The CW affiliates) of the DIC Kids Networksyndicated block.[5] The series ran on the block until 2007, when it moved to KEWLopolisonCBS, with Season 3 episodes added in September 2008. In September 2009, it was removed from the block following its rebranding as Cookie Jar TV, but returned in April 2010 until September that year. Season 4 has never aired on television in the United States and remains exclusively on DVD and digital download.
In international markets, DIC pre-sold the series to GMTV in the United Kingdom and Fox Kids Europe in some European territories in 2004.[6] In 2008, DIC pre-sold the series to more broadcasters including M6, Canal J and Tiji in France, Tiny Pop in the United Kingdom, K-T.V. in South Africa, KiKa in Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and German-speaking Switzerland, and Mediaset in Italy.[7] Season 1 episodes are broadcast as two parts instead of being shortened, doubling the episode count to eight. In Canada, the series aired on Treehouse TV.
From Season 2 onwards, the episodes are presented individually on the TV broadcasts rather than being compilations, although this depended on the broadcaster (e.g., Disney Channel Asia aired the first four episodes as two-parters).
Some networks, like GMTV and Minimax in CEE aired Season 1 uninterrupted as one, full-length part akin to the DVD releases, while Season 2 onwards are broadcast exactly like on the DVDs with the compilation format.
A five-minute Strawberry Shortcake short, "Growing Better All the Time", is available exclusively in the Care Bears: Daydreams DVD (released on October 14, 2003) as a bonus feature. Numerous scenes from the short were used in the 2000s (decade) series' second opening sequence, and the song from the short was released on the "Strawberry Jams" CD.
Apart from that, a Public Service Announcement for the ASPCA was produced and aired in the US. The PSA features Strawberry Shortcake talking about the basics of pet ownership.
Strawberry Shortcake (voiced by Sarah Heinke) - the main protagonist of the series. A sweet, friendly and playful girl who is always there for her friends and who often takes up a leader role.
Angel Cake (voiced by Rachel Ware) - a dainty and pernickety girl who can sometimes be a bit of a perfectionist, wanting everything to be how she wants it, but still shows a good side.
Ginger Snap (voiced by Samantha Triba) - a talkative and clever inventor and baker. She can be quite quick and cowardly when the mood strikes.
Orange Blossom (voiced by Dejare Barfield) - a happy and bright girl who lives up to her name, although she can get a bit shy and sensitive at times.
Huckleberry Pie (voiced by Daniel Canfield (Series 1) and James Street (Series 2-4) - a sporty and adventurous boy who can be quite a daredevil and enjoys skateboarding, but still makes sure to put his friends first. By Series 3 and 4, he transitions to a recurring character.
Pupcake (vocal effects by Nils Haaland) - Strawberry's pet dog. He is happy and excitable, and can sometimes annoy Custard.
Custard (voiced by Sarah Koslosky (Series 1) and Anna Jordan (Series 2-4) - Strawberry's pet cat who has a very snarky, sarcastic personality. Unlike in previous incarnations, she can speak and is able to translate Pupcake's barks into human language.
Apple Dumplin' (voiced by Katie Labosky) - Strawberry's baby sister who wishes to be like her big sister, and hopes that she can do anything the older kids do. By Series 4, she ages up to be an older child.
Blueberry Muffin (voiced by Bianca Heyward (Series 2-3) and Caroline lliff (Series 4)) - a mysterious, smart and creative girl who enjoys reading books and making up plays.
Peppermint Fizz (voiced by Rebecca Noddle) - a stubborn and short-tempered girl who will do anything to get her way, but through it all can still have a good heart and even feel remorseful for her mistakes. By Series 4, she becomes more lighthearted to Strawberry, wanting to be part of her friend group.
Seaberry Delight (voiced by Abbey Leib) - a timid ocean girl who lives in Seaberry Shore with Coco Calypso.
Coco Calypso (voiced by Melissa Deni) - a faraway friend of Strawberry Shortcake who lives on Seaberry Island who likes to perform.
Rainbow Sherbet (voiced by Laura Grimm) - an adventurer and sailor who lives in a colorful boat named the Rainbow Float. She has a habit of speaking in sailor slang like port, starboard, aye aye captain, etc.
Crepes Suzette (voiced by Caroline Lliff) - Strawberry's friend from Paris who is a fashion designer. She is sometimes prone to being dramatic.
Cherry Cuddler - Crepes' younger sister who only appeared in illustrations.
Tea Blossom (voiced by Marissa Maliani) - a quiet girl from Plum Blossom Province who comes to visit Strawberryland, although finds it difficult to adjust to their culture.
Tangerina Torta (voiced by Caroline lliff (Series 3) and Dana Donlan (Series 4)) - a Latin American girl with a love of nature. By series 4, she gains a new accent and design.
Frosty Puff (voiced by Samantha Triba) - a winter themed girl from a country called "Niceland".
Raspberry Torte (voiced by Haley Hyden-Soffer) - an active, competitive, and stubborn girl who isn't too fond of manners, but later started to care about them, she is sometimes prone to sarcasm.
Lemon Meringue (voiced by Mary Waltman) - a sweet and gossiping fashionista who can be a bit ditsy at times and is usually seen with Raspberry Torte.
Apricot - a new girl with low self-confidence, who lies about her background in order to make friends.
Banana Candy (voiced by Caroline Lliff) - a workaholic from Banana Burrough, who takes up many jobs alone as she is the only resident. She becomes good friends with Strawberry Shortcake after being invited on their trip.
Watermelon Kiss - a new girl who loves summer and riding horses.
Plum Puddin' (voiced by Aubrey Fleming) - a brainy and resourceful girl who is clumsy and has trouble finding her strengths, but can ultimately proves to be of great use to the team.
Annie Oatmeal (voiced by Grace Bydalek) - a cowgirl with a southern accent who is also the owner of the Berry Prairie Dude Ranch. She loves helpers and is always looking for recruits who are also good friends.
Caramel Corn (voiced by Anne Sundell) - a resilient farm-girl with a love of animals, who is trying to make ends meet so she doesn't have to sell her farm.
Lime Light - a famous superstar diva that loves being the center of attention, but doesn't like to listen to others. She eventually learns to be less selfish and listen to others thanks to Strawberry Shortcake. Her director is voiced by Zoe Robb.
The 2003 series introduced a cast of fillies to the mix that the characters own.
Honey Pie Pony (voiced by Hannah Koslosky) - a horse from Ice Cream Island who is a good friend of the main group and the leader of the fillies. She is the first and major filly to be introduced, and the only one of them who can speak human language. She loves adventures and likes to ramble on about her greatest journeys and stories.
Cookie Dough - Ginger Snap's filly.
Milkshake - Angel Cake's filly.
Orange Twist - Orange Blossom's filly.
Cherry Vanilla - Peppermint Fizz's filly who only appears in merchandise. Compared to her more sour owner, Cherry Vanilla is more sweet-natured, akin to her name. She is sometimes paired with Strawberry Shortcake in some toy sets.
Blueberry Sundae - Blueberry Muffin's filly who only appears in merchandise and made a brief cameo in the TV series.
Huckleberry Hash - Huckleberry Pie's filly who only appeared in the toyrange.
Spumoni - Coco Calypso's filly who only appeared in the toy range.
Pistachio - Seaberry Delight's filly who only appeared in the toy range.
Butter Pecan - Rainbow Sherbet's who only appeared in the toy range.
Lemon Ice - Lemon Meringue's filly who only appeared in the toy range.
Raspberry Ripple - Raspberry Torte's filly who only appeared in the toy range.
Ambrosia - a unicorn who only appeared in a picture book.
Licorice Whip (voiced by Jerry Longe) - a rebellious and hot-headed circus worker and performer who steals Honey Pie Pony and the other fillies for his circus show.
Raven (voiced by Ryle Smith) - Licorice Whip's sidekick, a regular Raven, although he soon turns against him and helps the girls save the fillies.
Sea Serpent (voiced by Pam Carter) - a Serpent in a story who enslaves mermaids, but has a change of heart and makes up for her bad deeds by the end of the story.
Dog Catcher (voiced by Nils Haaland) - a French man who attempts to capture Pupcake and Eclair, though it's unclear if he's truly a villain or just slightly antagonistic.
Purple Pie Man (voiced by Cork Ramer) - an overly-ambitious and wicked man who will do anything to get his way. During the final episode however, he's not full on cold-hearted and seems to show a much softer and helpful side when given the chance.
Sour Grapes (voiced by Bridget Robbins) - Purple Pie Man's sidekick and sister, a sour and deadpan woman who sometimes serves as a rational figure for Pieman's mischief. She is also shown numerous times to be much more sympathetic and kind-hearted to the heroes.
A series of Fairies appeared in "Berry Fairy Tales". The background fairies are voiced by Samantha Triba, Theresa Sindelar and Anna Jordan.
Margalo B. Berryglow (voiced by Andrea Ware) - a fairy who takes advantage of kindness.
Sherry Bobbleberry (voiced by Laura Marr) - a fairy who is doubtful of things but wishes to be seen as a hero.
Periwinkle Pearblossom (voiced by Theresa Sindelar) - Sherry's boss and the loyal fairy of the Queen. She is fair to the rules and can be quite impatient.
Fairy Queen (voiced by Susie Baer Collins) - the queen of the Strawberryland fairies. She is helpful and is happy to assist with any issues.
Majesco has also released Strawberry Shortcake episodes as a Game Boy Advance Video cartridge:
Strawberry Shortcake Volume 1
Meet Strawberry Shortcake
Spring for Strawberry Shortcake
Note: The episodes released on Game Boy Advance Video are the 22-minute edited broadcast version of the episodes (some markets show these episodes as a two-part series without cutting off scenes instead), unlike the video versions which are 45 minutes in length each. Presumably this decision was made to keep the costs of producing the cartridges down (as the need for higher density memory chips would drive the cost of the cartridge up). As a result, two songs and a significant number of scenes from "Meet Strawberry Shortcake", as well as two songs and half of the scenes from "Spring for Strawberry Shortcake" were missing from the GBA Video release if compared to the other videos. Also notable is that the song Friendship Grows Like a Flower was shortened.
^Although the Cookie Jar logo appeared on the fourth season, DIC still produced that season before the purchase. Animation outsourced to Hong Ying Universe Company Limited.
^Season 1 featured 4 single 45-minute episodes (which when aired on TV, air as two part series or are shortened to 22 minutes, which don't apply here), while Seasons 2-4 featured two related 22-minute segments which were shown in a "Compilation" format (which are also separated when aired on TV). A promotional 5-minute short episode was also made, but doesn't count as an official episode.
^The segments, when separated, air for 22 minutes.
^The date listed is when the final episode: "Lights... Camera..." aired in Asia. In the show's home country of the United States, the final DVD for the series - Berry Brick Road, containing the last two episodes, was not released until March 6, 2012. Season 4 never aired on television in the United States.
