Danny Phantom
Danny Phantom is an American animated superhero action adventure television series created by Butch Hartman for Nickelodeon. The series premiered on April 3, 2004, right after the 2004 Kids' Choice Awards, and ended on August 24, 2007. The series follows Danny Fenton, a teenage boy who, after an accident with an unpredictable portal between the human world and the "Ghost Zone", becomes a human-ghost hybrid and takes on the task of saving his town (and the world) from subsequent ghost attacks using an evolving variety of supernatural powers. Danny is aided in his quest by his two best friends, Sam Manson and Tucker Foley, and later by his older sister Jazz, who for most of the series' run are among the only people who know of his double life.[2]
Danny Phantom
- Guy Moon
- Butch Hartman
"Danny Phantom", performed by Deric Battiste and Guy Moon
"Danny Phantom" (instrumental)
Guy Moon
United States
3
53 (list of episodes)
Butch Hartman
Bob Boyle (2004–05)
Steve Marmel (2004–05)
George Goodchild (2006–07)
23 minutes
46 minutes (2-part episodes)
April 3, 2004 –
August 24, 2007
Throughout its run, Danny Phantom received five Annie Award nominations and positive reviews.[3] In recent years, it has received renewed attention and critical acclaim from critics and audiences, being considered by many as Hartman's best and most acclaimed work.[4][5] Additionally, Danny Phantom has spawned video games, home video releases, toys, and various other merchandise. A campaign to revive Danny Phantom called the Go Ghost Again Movement has spawned in recent years, including a petition on Change.org that has received thousands of signatures.[6]
Broadcast[edit]
Danny Phantom premiered on April 3, 2004, at 9:30 p.m. with its first episode airing after the 2004 Kids' Choice Awards.[13] The series aired its final episode on August 24, 2007. The series aired on CBC, YTV, and Nickelodeon in Canada. Danny Phantom also appeared on CITV in the UK as part of the CITV morning block Action Stations in 2008.[14]
Merchandise[edit]
Video games[edit]
There have been two video games released for the main series. Danny Phantom: The Ultimate Enemy is a 2D platformer that adapts the events of the TV movie of the same name; it was released for the Game Boy Advance on September 8, 2005.[15] Danny Phantom: Urban Jungle is a shooter game loosely based on the episode of the same name, released for the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS on September 19, 2006.[16] On January 15, 2024, they announced that a live action film adaptation based on the series is currently in the works.
Danny is one of the main heroes in the Nicktoons Unite! series, appearing in all four games: Nicktoons Unite!, Nicktoons: Battle for Volcano Island, Nicktoons: Attack of the Toybots, and SpongeBob SquarePants featuring Nicktoons: Globs of Doom.
Danny and other characters and locations from the series have also been featured in other Nickelodeon crossover video games, including: Nicktoons: Summer Camp, Nicktoons Basketball, Nicktoons: Freeze Frame Frenzy, Nicktoons Movin', Nicktoons Winners Cup Racing, Nicktoons Nitro,[17] Nicktoons MLB, Nickelodeon Super Brawl Universe, Nickelodeon Kart Racers 2: Grand Prix,[18] Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl,[19] Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis,[20] Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway, and Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2.[21]
Danny was one of several Nickelodeon-themed character skins released during a limited-time event in Smite on July 12, 2022[22]
Print media[edit]
In October 2005, Scholastic Corporation published a Nick Zone chapter book, Stage Fright, with an original Danny Phantom story written by Erica David and illustrated by Victoria Miller and Harry Moore.[23] Danny Phantom also made several appearances in Nickelodeon Magazine, including original comics "Brat's Entertainment!" (featuring Youngblood) and "Seeing Red" (featuring Undergrowth).
A graphic novel, titled Danny Phantom: A Glitch in Time, was released on July 18, 2023. It was written and illustrated by Gabriela Epstein and published by Abrams Books.[24] The graphic novel is set after the events of the series finale and features the return of Dark Danny. A sequel is currently in the works.[25]
Reception[edit]
Critical reception[edit]
Danny Phantom was well received by both television critics and audiences, gathering a cult following since its original run.[47] Sean Aitchison from CBR said "Danny Phantom might have a few elements that firmly place it in the 2000s, but the storytelling and design still feel fresh and fun in modern day. The show was full of action and humor, and the characters felt real and layered. If you're looking for an old Nickelodeon cartoon to rewatch, Danny Phantom should be on your list."[48] Eric McInnis writing for Study Breaks Magazine said, "The show offered fun comedy, memorable characters, and fantastic character designs for the enemies Danny had to fight in each episode."[49] Joly Herman of Common Sense Media criticized the mature themes of Danny Phantom, saying that, "This cartoon can be funny, and the characters are unique. But, as is the case with so many contemporary cartoons, the rush to violence overshadows the good aspects of the series. Death threats, torture, knives, and violence against women are commonplace. There's no opportunity to work things out. Danny is either a coward or a hero – there's no in between. He either fights or perishes, which is a heavy choice for a sensitive guy."[50]