The Bluffers
Bluffers battle tyrant Clandestino to save their forest.
The Bluffers is a children’s animated series from 1986, created by Frank Fehmers. It takes place in the fictional land of Bluffoonia, where the animal inhabitants—known as the Bluffers—constantly oppose the evil ruler Clandestino, who wants to wipe out their forest home. The show was based on an idea by Gene Deitch, who also wrote the lyrics, while Michael Jupp handled art direction and character design (he also created *The Dreamstone* and *Bimble’s Bucket*).
The opening line sets the scene: Bluffoonia was once beautiful until the crazed Clandestino took over, turning it into a wasteland because he fears the Bluffers will discover his “secret of getting it all.”
The heroes include Zok (short for Zocrates), a wise old owl in a toga and laurel wreath who acts as a fatherly advisor and keeps the Book of All Knowledge. Zip is a fast blue squirrel who loves adventure and often raids Clandestino’s castle, usually involving nuts. Blossom is a pink mouse with red hair who has a crush on Zip, but he doesn’t feel the same. Honey Boy is a simple brown bear obsessed with honey, always surrounded by his pet bees. Sharpy, a red bipedal fox, tries to lie, cheat, and steal like a “real fox,” but usually fails. Regal Eagle talks and thinks like a soldier but rarely appears, only helping with small tasks. Gin-Seng is a goose with an Oriental look who brews herbal remedies. Prickly Pine is a hyperactive red porcupine who shoots quills with perfect aim, often hitting Sharpy or other Bluffers by accident. Psycho is a shy snake with weak psychic powers—once used as a metal detector—and adds a “p” sound to words with “s” (like “p’sad”).
The main villain is Clandestino, a bloated, self-obsessed hunchbacked human who rules Bluffoonia as a totalitarian. His power comes from the “Secret of Getting It All,” locked in his castle dungeon. His robot butler, Sillycone (a pun on silicon and silly), is smarter than his master but serves faithfully without malice. Other characters include Glum, Clandestino’s watchdog who sympathizes with the Bluffers but won’t rebel, and Song and Dance, two sunglasses-wearing rabbits (one tall and thin, one short and fat) who appear in musical segments.
Episodes run about 25 minutes each and usually involve Clandestino plotting to destroy the forest or disrupt the Bluffers’ lives, or the Bluffers trying to steal his secret. The secret is never re
- created_by
- Frank Fehmers
- based_on_idea_by
- Gene Deitch
- art_director_and_character_designer
- Michael Jupp
- year
- 1986
- format
- Children's cartoon series
- episode_length
- Approximately 25 minutes
- musical_numbers_per_episode
- 2
Lore & Background
The series is set in Bluffoonia, once a beautiful country before the crazed maniac Clandestino took over. The heroes are a group of animal denizens called the Bluffers, who live in the last remaining forest. Key heroes include Zok, a wise old owl in a toga and laurel wreath who keeps the Book of All Knowledge; Zip, a fast-running blue squirrel who loves adventure; Blossom, a pink mouse with red hair who has romantic feelings for Zip; Honey Boy, a simple-minded brown bear obsessed with honey; Sharpy, a red bipedal fox who tries to lie, cheat, and steal; Regal Eagle, a soldier-like eagle; Gin-Seng, an Oriental-appearing goose who brews herbal remedies; Prickly Pine, a hyperactive porcupine who can shoot quills; and Psycho, a shy snake with limited psychic powers who adds a 'P' to words with an 'S' sound.
Reader's Guide
The Bluffers is notable as a 1980s children's cartoon that combined adventure, comedy, and musical numbers within a fantasy setting. Its significance lies in its serialized conflict between a tyrant and a group of animal heroes, a common theme in children's media, but distinguished by the persistent mystery of the 'Secret of Getting It All,' which remains unrevealed throughout the series. The show's legacy is modest; it was released on VHS in the late 1980s in the United States and Europe, and a compilation of musical numbers was also issued. The involvement of Gene Deitch and Michael Jupp, both known for other animated works, adds to its historical interest. The series is remembered primarily by those who encountered it during its original broadcast or home video release, and it serves as an example of the diverse animated programming of the era.
Did You Know?
- The series was based on an idea by Gene Deitch, who also wrote the lyrics.
- Michael Jupp, art director and character creator, also created The Dreamstone and Bimble's Bucket.
- The secret of Clandestino's power is never revealed; in the final episode it sinks with the castle.
- Each episode contains two musical numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Bluffers?
The Bluffers is a 1986 children's animated series created by Frank Fehmers, following a group of animal characters who defend their forest home against a tyrannical ruler. Each episode runs roughly 25 minutes.
Who is Clandestino in The Bluffers?
Clandestino is the series' main antagonist, a crazed ruler who seized control of Bluffoonia and reduced its once-lush landscape to a barren wasteland. His overarching goal is to destroy the forest that the Bluffers call home.
Who created The Bluffers and who worked on it?
Frank Fehmers is credited as the show's creator, while the original concept came from Gene Deitch, who also wrote the lyrics. Michael Jupp handled art direction and character design, shaping the visual look of the Bluffers.
What is Bluffoonia?
Bluffoonia is the fictional woodland realm where the entire series is set and where the animal inhabitants, the Bluffers, live. It was originally a beautiful forest before Clandestino's takeover turned it into a desolate wasteland.
What is the central conflict in The Bluffers?
The Bluffers are in constant struggle against Clandestino, who seeks to obliterate their forest and keep his iron grip on Bluffoonia. Every episode centers on the animals finding ways to resist his tyranny and protect their woodland home.
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