Web Animation Showcase: Bee and Puppycat

In our regular Web Animation Watch feature, we like to highlight the latest and greatest happenings in the vibrant online animation scene. Sometimes, however, we'll be taking a closer look at the work of a particular artist or an individual short. It won't always be something brand new either- it may be something from a while ago you might have missed. Which brings us to Bee and Puppycat, a short produced by Frederator Studios that first appeared online nearly a year ago. The creation of the fantastically talented  Natasha Allegri, it centres on a twenty-something by the name of Bee, who has yet to find her true calling in life, falling into temp-work. One day she takes in an adorable fuzzy creature named Puppycat. Who is definitely either a puppy or a cat. Probably.

But Puppycat is no ordinary cat..dog..thing.., and takes Bee off on adventures. Temping. In Space. The short packs an amazing amount of imagination into it's brief running time, creating a universe you want to see more of. Bee is a lovably goofy protagonist, and Puppycat is just plain awesome. Fans of Adventure Time will feel right at home here. Like in that show it often has something of an anime flavour- without trying to slavishly emulate the Japanese style. The similarities are hardly surprising considering that Adventure Time and Bee and Puppycat share a production studio. In fact, Allegri is one of the leading lights on that Cartoon Network series.




Watch the debut short and you'll want more- luckily it was only the beginning.The first episode was released originally in two parts via Cartoon Hangover, in July and August 2013. Following the warm reception it received,  a Kickstarter was launched in October to fund further episodes. When the crowdfunding campaign wrapped up, they had raised enough to fund a further 9 episodes, due later this year.

Like it's Frederator predecessors Adventure Time and Bravest Warriors, Bee and Puppycat have also spawned their own official comics. Boom Studios released the first issue of Bee and Puppycat in May 2014, with gorgeous art coming from Allegri herself.

The future is looking bright for Bee and her furry friend, and it has already begun to spawn merchandise and a thriving fan following. And we just can't wait to see more...

Are you a web animator who's produced something you'd like to see in a future Web Animation Watch? Drop us a line.