The Koala Brothers

The Koala Brothers is a British-Australian stop-motion animated children's television series, created by David Johnson. It features the adventures of two koala brothers named Frank and Buster, who pilot a plane as they seek to help their friends in a sleepy town in the Australian outback. The series was narrated by Jonathan Coleman. 78 episodes were produced over 3 seasons, alongside one Christmas special.

Notably, while the series sometimes features disagreements and displays of poor behaviour, it avoids presenting any characters as purely villainous or unlikable. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of kindness and friendship.

The series originally premiered on CBeebies on 1 September 2003 until the 79th and last-ever episode's airing on 31 October 2007 and is particularly targeted at children two to six years old.

Format
Broadcast episode formats vary slightly between countries, though the main material of each episode, with the titular characters assisting one of their friends and overcoming a problem, such as jealousy, fear, or the failure to share, does not change. In Australia, the show runs in episodes of around 12 minutes' length, though these are broadcast in pairs on ABC Kids, with the opening song "Call the Koala Brothers" repeated in instrumental form over the credits. CBeebies eliminates the introduction and closing song to squeeze the program into a 10-minute format.

In the 30-minute broadcast version, the show opens with a slightly longer version of the theme song and then before each segment, the narrator introduces Frank and Buster as they fly in their yellow two-seater propeller airplane above the outback. The supporting cast is introduced as the narrator asks, "Who do you think the Koala Brothers are going to help today?", followed by Frank's telescope showing the character they're going to help in each respective segment. Each 30-minute episode ends with "The Helping Song", in which all the characters gather at the Koala Brothers' homestead and sing about always trying to help and care for one another.

Inspiration
The show remarkably resembles, in visual style and ethos, a children's book and TV show proposal entitled "The Great Wungle Bungle Aerial Expedition", which featured characters specifically dubbed "The Koala Brothers" and focusing on the adventures of altruistic animal outback aviator rescuers in homemade flying contraptions at a comical desert airstrip, rescuing others or helping out friends with no thought of personal reward. The book first appeared along with accompanying specially designed animatronic character props at the "FirstState88" NSW Govt exhibition in Darling Harbour in Sydney as part of the Australian Bicentenary in 1988. The original three "Koala Brothers" characters first appeared here as supporting characters.

In the 1990s, the book and exhibit's creator Greg McKee revised the concept as an animated TV show proposal called "Echidna Airways" which circulated at Cannes. Greg pitched the proposal to the producers of this show, who ultimately decided to develop their own version of the premise instead. The animation style itself is reminiscent of the popular children's series Bob the Builder with production credits evidently shared between the two. Archival footage of the Echidna Airways characters and flying machines is viewable here:

Ownership and distribution
The show was purchased by Spellbound Entertainment and was pre-sold to CBeebies for a 2003 delivery. Spellbound would continue to sell the series worldwide until filing for liquidation in 2013. David Johnson, the show's creator, would purchase the rights to the series in February 2014 under a new joint-venture company called Koala Brothers Ltd. Union Media was signed as the new distributor for the series.

Characters
All the characters are anthropomorphic native Australian animals mainly speaking with correct accents, with the notable exceptions of Archie, who speaks with a British accent and Penny, who only communicates through penguin sounds.

Main

 * Frank (voiced by Keith Wickham) is a koala who is the pilot of the airplane. He has demonstrated excellent skills in tennis and was the only member of the community able to defeat Archie, though Frank admitted it was probably just luck. He also fostered an interest in pottery at one point but did not have any great artistic ability.


 * Buster (voiced by Rob Rackstraw) is a koala who usually sits behind Frank in the airplane and uses his telescope to spot friends in need from the air. Buster is always willing to provide a pep talk or a hug to his friends. Buster speaks more softly than Frank, and he has a small tuft of hair on the top of his head. Buster loves to bake, especially butter cookies.

Jonathan Coleman is the Narrator.

Supporting

 * Mitzi (voiced by Lucinda Cowden) is a possum who almost singularly wears flip flops exposing her toes which implies an attachment though it is not brought up in stories along with thick-rimmed glasses. Mitzi lives in part of the Koala Brothers' homestead made over as her living quarters and is young and impressionable, often relying on the Koala Brothers to stay in line with her perfection-seeking impulses. Mitzi can get bossy and upset her friends at times, but she means no harm and her friends always forgive her as she is still working out her limits. A recurring sight-gag shows Mitzi slipping out of either or both her flip flops due to being constantly on the go.
 * Ned (voiced by Janet James) is a wombat who is one of the youngest members of the local community behind Mitzi, and lives in a caravan next door to the Koala Brothers' homestead. Ned is often not sure of himself, but he dreams of adventure and longs to be a hero like his idols, Frank and Buster. Ned is very determined and easily fixated on an idea, and often will come through with prompting.
 * George (voiced by Rob Rackstraw) is a turtle who is the outback's local mail carrier. George has no established residence whatsoever, but he is always seen delivering the mail with his trusty leather satchel. George is very proud of being a mail carrier, and tells the best campfire stories in the outback. George also has an interest in stamp collecting.
 * Sammy (voiced by Rob Rackstraw) is an echidna who lives in town and owns the local general store, which sells fuel in addition to comestibles. His only employee is Josie. As one of the more senior citizens, Sammy has the fewest problems after the Koala Brothers.
 * Josie (voiced by Janet James) is a kangaroo who is Sammy's only assistant who often works at the outback's general store and is often seen doing so. Josie has a blue skirt with a deep pocket and white shoes. She and Mitzi are still the best of friends. Although Josie is shy, she is always seen with her tummy showing, because of the small red and white striped shirt that she wears.
 * Alice (voiced by Lucinda Cowden) is a platypus who works at the local café and appears to be the lone employee, though it is unclear if Alice owns the café. Alice is very forgetful. She rides a green motor scooter around, which has its share of drastic engine problems. Alice loves to bake, and is good at following recipes. Alice is also good at reading maps.
 * Archie (voiced by Keith Wickham) is a crocodile who lives in a well-appointed cottage near the local water hole. Archie is very cheerful and friendly, and is always exercising, stretching, or playing tennis, and is also renowned at being the best at almost every sport. Archie is British and speaks in a memorable rich accent.
 * Penny (voiced by Janet James) is a penguin who lives in Antarctica, but has visited the outback on certain occasions and keeps up a regular written correspondence with the Koala Brothers. Penny communicates by chattering and sings "The Helping Song".
 * Lolly (voiced by Lucinda Cowden) is an emu who is the outback's female local ice cream vendor and can often be seen driving her ice cream truck around the Outback. Lolly often greets people by saying "How can I cool you down?" to them.

Telecast and home media
Originally aired on ABC Kids from 2003 until 2007 with repeats until the early-2010s. The show later aired on CBeebies in the United Kingdom and Playhouse Disney in the United States, as well as various foreign stations. As of 2022, the show is now streaming on the premium Amazon Prime.

In the United States, several DVDs of the series were released by Lionsgate Home Entertainment.
 * DVDs Released in North America
 * Meet the Koala Brothers!
 * A Day in the Outback!
 * We're Here to Help!
 * Ned's Buried Treasure
 * Mitzi's Big Adventure
 * Outback Christmas


 * DVDs Released in the United Kingdom
 * The Koala Brothers: A Letter for George and Other Stories
 * The Koala Brothers: Archie's New Home and Other Stories
 * The Koala Brothers: Ned the Pilot and Other Stories
 * The Koala Brothers: Alice Can't Remember and Other Stories
 * The Koala Brothers: Outback Christmas
 * The Koala Brothers: Mitzi's Day Out and Other Stories
 * The Koala Brothers: We're Here to Help!

Award nominations

 * BAFTA Children's Awards 2006
 * Nominated for Best Animation (for the episode "The Koala Brothers Outback Christmas")