Revision as of 00:59, 3 March 2026

"What a great idea Chats! But what will we call ourselves?"

This page uses the name "Cartoon Characters", which isn't official, but it's what most people call it!

"We're gonna build it up!"

Build it high! This page is currently under construction by one or more members of our community!

Cartoon Characters is the name given by the community for the animated versions of the cast of each series. These were created as early as Season 1 of the original series, as the need for easily identifiable and replicable versions of the live-action cast were needed not only for merchandising but for branding purposes too.

These designs varied between eras of the original show and it's adaptations, and were seen mostly featured on both the theme song animations of each series as well as merchandising and other applications.

Timeline

The first cartoon characters to make an appearance were the ones seen in the Season 1 theme song animation, illustrated by Eddie Mort from Fudge Puppy Productions, and depicted the original cast in 2D.

Different cartoons were seen in merch at the time, not fully matching the designs of those seen in the first two theme song animations of the show.

Starting from Season 3, a new artist, Bort. Q. Rockefeller (artistic name) was brought in into the team^[1], which re-designed the 2D versions of the cast; these new versions weren't just seen on merch, but were also seen reproduced in 3D in the theme song, since the launch of Season 4.

Bort was also responsible for the character designs in both seasons of the American adaptation of the show.

With Sun's arrival to the cast in 2006 as a replacement of Kathleen, a new design to reflect her appearance was supposed to debut alongside the rest of the cast in Season 9, however, marketing executives at the time advised to keep Kathleen's original design in favor of a more accurate one.

In Season 10, Bort, now under the Australian design studio Studio Bauhaus redesigned the cast once again, giving the strokes a lighter feel and making the designs feel more fluid and expressive; this was the last season in which Bort worked on.

After the branding reset that came with the replacement of most of the cast in 2009, the new cartoon designs for Season 11 were instead commissioned to Southern Star Singapore^[2], where the original design philosophy was reworked into a more soft and preschool appealing look. These new designs were virtually only seen in 3D, and although 2D versions were seen in some events, merch, and the official show's website, these are only traced from the 3D models and are not original 2D art per se. Another key difference with previous designs is that only one version of them was produced, with no outfit specific versions for certain Songs of the week or events made.

Now under the Hi-5 House brand, new 3D designs were made for the theme song by Infinite Frameworks and Tremendousness^[3], and while somewhat resembling those made in 2009, these received a more human feel and proportions. For Season 2 of the House series, Lauren's design was narrowly adjusted to fit Tanika's design better.

During the last years of Hi-5 House, new 2D designs began to be observed at live events of the cast, these new designs were the base for those seen in Season 17's theme song^[4] and merchandising, which turned it into the first season since Season 3 to not feature 3D models of the cast in any shape or form on any applications; it also has the first theme song animation to feature 2D designs of the cast after Season 2 of Hi-5 USA.

Gallery

The following is a gallery of designs made for the cast of both the original show and it's adaptations.

Hi-5 Australia

Season 3

Nature

Get Fit

Mysteries

Treasures

Inventions

Season 4

Opening titles

Season 5

Festivals

Building

Happy

Heartbeat

Season 6

Exploring

Dream Wishes

Get Moving

Heartbeat

Feeling Fine

Playtime

Season 7

Changing

Charli
Kellie
Kathleen
Nathan
Tim

Making

Charli
Kellie
Kathleen
Nathan
Tim

Action (internally called "Action Heroes")

Charli
Kellie
Kathleen
Nathan
Tim

Visiting (internally called "Come and Play")

Charli
Kellie
Kathleen
Nathan
Tim

City and Country

Charli
Kellie
Kathleen
Nathan
Tim

Rainbows (internally called "Rainbows Around the World")

Charli
Kellie
Kathleen
Nathan
Tim

Teams (internally called "Team 5")

Charli
Kellie
Kathleen
Nathan
Tim

Wonderful

Charli
Kellie
Kathleen
Nathan
Tim

Journeys

Charli
Kellie
Kathleen
Nathan
Tim

Playing Five

Charli
Kellie
Kathleen
Nathan
Tim

Playing Music

Charli
Kellie
Kathleen
Nathan
Tim

Season 8

Generic

Charli

Charli
Kellie

Kellie
Sun

Sun
Nathan

Nathan
Tim

Tim

Opening titles

Charli

Charli
Kellie

Kellie
Sun

Sun
Nathan

Nathan
Tim

Tim

Doing (internally called "What's Cooking?")

Charli

Charli
Kellie

Kellie
Sun

Sun
Nathan

Nathan
Tim

Tim

Variety (internally called "Special")

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Tim

Growing (internally called "Growing Up")

Charli

Charli
Kellie

Kellie
Sun

Sun
Nathan

Nathan
Tim

Tim

Pretending

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Tim

Sharing (internally called "Share Everything")

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Tim

Travelling (internally called "Are We There Yet?")

Charli

Charli
Kellie

Kellie
Sun

Sun
Nathan

Nathan
Tim

Tim

Jingle Jangle

Charli

Charli
Kellie

Kellie
Sun

Sun
Nathan

Nathan
Tim

Tim

Christmas Star

Charli

Charli
Kellie

Kellie
Sun

Sun
Nathan

Nathan
Tim

Tim

Easter Bunny Hops

Charli

Charli
Kellie

Kellie
Sun

Sun
Nathan

Nathan
Tim

Tim

Mix It Up

Charli

Charli
Kellie

Kellie
Sun

Sun
Nathan

Nathan
Tim

Tim

Season 9

Opening titles

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Tim

These designs correspond to the season's theme song.

World

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Tim

These designs correspond to the Around The World song of the week.

Happy

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Tim

These designs correspond to the Happy Today song of the week.

Amazing (internally called "Wow")

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Tim

These designs correspond to the WOW! song of the week.

Old and New (internally called "Time")

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Tim

These designs correspond to the Time Machine song of the week.

Brave and Strong (internally called "Strong")

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Tim

These designs correspond to the Strong and Brave song of the week.

Switching (internally called "Switch")

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Tim

These designs correspond to the Switching Around song of the week.

Look Around (internally called "Love")

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Tim

These designs correspond to the Love All Around song of the week.

Celebrating (internally called "Party")

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Tim

These designs correspond to the Party Street song of the week.

Easter Bunny Hops

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Tim

Fruity Fun

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Tim

Fun

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Tim

Season 10

Opening titles

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Stevie

These designs correspond to the season's theme song.

Playtime (internally called "Play Time")

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Stevie

These designs correspond to the Playtime song of the week.

Family

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Stevie

These designs correspond to the We're A Family song of the week.

Planet Earth

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Stevie

These designs correspond to the Planet Earth song of the week.

Be Free (internally called "Feel Free")

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Stevie

These designs correspond to the The Best Things in Life Are Free song of the week.

Abracadabra

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Stevie

These designs correspond to the Abracadabra song of the week.

Jump and Shout

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Stevie

These designs correspond to the Jump and Shout song of the week.

Tomorrow (internally called "Grow Up")

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Stevie

These designs correspond to the When I Grow Up song of the week.

Techno World (internally called "Techno")

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Stevie

These designs correspond to the Techno World song of the week.

Come Alive

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Stevie

These designs correspond to the Come Alive song of the week.

Chores

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Stevie

These designs were made for merchandising and are based off the costumes seen in the Planet Earth, We're A Family and The Best Things In Life Are Free songs of the week.

Fairy World

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Stevie

Circus Stageshow (internally called "Circus")

Charli

Kellie

Sun

Nathan

Stevie

These designs correspond to the Circus Stageshow Tour.

Christmas

Charli
Kellie
Sun
Nathan
Stevie

Hi-5 USA

Season 1

Generic

Karla
Jenn
Kimee
Shaun
Curtis

Opening titles

Karla
Jenn
Kimee
Shaun
Curtis

Machines

Karla
Jenn
Kimee
Shaun
Curtis

Music

Karla

Karla
Jenn

Jenn
Kimee

Kimee
Shaun

Shaun
Curtis

Curtis

Colors

Karla

Karla
Jenn

Jenn
Kimee

Kimee
Shaun

Shaun
Curtis

Curtis

Groove (unofficial name)

Karla

Karla
Jenn

Jenn
Kimee

Kimee
Shaun

Shaun
Curtis

Curtis

Space Hopping

Karla

Karla
Jenn

Jenn
Kimee

Kimee
Shaun

Shaun
Curtis

Curtis

Balloons (unofficial name)

Karla

Karla
Jenn

Jenn
Kimee

Kimee
Shaun

Shaun
Curtis

Curtis

Season 2

Making

Karla
Jenn
Kimee
Shaun
Curtis

Action

Karla
Jenn
Kimee
Shaun
Curtis

Teams

Karla
Jenn
Kimee
Shaun
Curtis

Wonderful

Karla
Jenn
Kimee
Shaun
Curtis

Christmas (internally called "Christmas Trees")

Karla
Jenn
Kimee
Shaun
Curtis

Razzle

Karla
Jenn
Kimee
Shaun
Curtis

Group 5

Karla
Jenn
Kimee
Shaun
Curtis

Fun

Karla
Jenn
Kimee
Shaun
Curtis

References

[1] ttps://www.bortq.com/illustration

[2] ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wCJA1EOkQA

[3] ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KZn9X-KC1I

[4] ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEoDXLyC4_k

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

@@ Line 302: / Line 302: @@
 File:Tim (World, Season 9).svg|Tim
 </gallery>
-These designs correspond to the [[Around The World (song)|Around The World]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
+These designs correspond to the [[Around The World]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
 ==== Happy ====
 <div style="height:10px;"></div>
@@ Line 312: / Line 312: @@
 File:Tim (Happy, Season 9).svg|Tim
 </gallery>
-These designs correspond to the [[Happy Today (song)|Happy Today]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
+These designs correspond to the [[Happy Today]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
 ==== Amazing <small><small>(internally called "Wow")</small></small> ====
 <div style="height:10px;"></div>
@@ Line 322: / Line 322: @@
 File:Tim (Amazing, Season 9).svg|Tim
 </gallery>
-These designs correspond to the [[WOW! (song)|WOW!]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
+These designs correspond to the [[WOW!]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
 ==== Old and New <small><small>(internally called "Time")</small></small> ====
 <div style="height:10px;"></div>
@@ Line 332: / Line 332: @@
 File:Tim (Old And New, Season 9).svg|Tim
 </gallery>
-These designs correspond to the [[Time Machine (song)|Time Machine]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
+These designs correspond to the [[Time Machine]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
 ==== Brave and Strong <small><small>(internally called "Strong")</small></small> ====
 <div style="height:10px;"></div>
@@ Line 342: / Line 342: @@
 File:Tim (Brave and Strong, Season 9).svg|Tim
 </gallery>
-These designs correspond to the [[Strong And Brave (song)|Strong and Brave]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
+These designs correspond to the [[Strong and Brave]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
 ==== Switching <small><small>(internally called "Switch")</small></small> ====
 <div style="height:10px;"></div>
@@ Line 352: / Line 352: @@
 File:Tim (Switching, Season 9).svg|Tim
 </gallery>
-These designs correspond to the [[Switching Around (song)|Switching Around]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
+These designs correspond to the [[Switching Around]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
 ==== Look Around <small><small>(internally called "Love")</small></small> ====
 <div style="height:10px;"></div>
@@ Line 362: / Line 362: @@
 File:Tim (Look Around, Season 9).svg|Tim
 </gallery>
-These designs correspond to the [[Love All Around (song)|Love All Around]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
+These designs correspond to the [[Love All Around]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
 ==== Celebrating <small><small>(internally called "Party")</small></small> ====
 <div style="height:10px;"></div>
@@ Line 372: / Line 372: @@
 File:Tim (Celebrating, Season 9).svg|Tim
 </gallery>
-These designs correspond to the [[Party Street (song)|Party Street]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
+These designs correspond to the [[Party Street]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
 ==== Easter Bunny Hops ====
 <div style="height:10px;"></div>
@@ Line 422: / Line 422: @@
 File:Stevie Playtime.svg|Stevie
 </gallery>
-These designs correspond to the [[Playtime (song)|Playtime]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
+These designs correspond to the [[Playtime]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
 ==== Family ====
 <div style="height:10px;"></div>
@@ Line 432: / Line 432: @@
 File:Stevie Family.svg|Stevie
 </gallery>
-These designs correspond to the [[We're A Family (song)|We're a Family]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
+These designs correspond to the [[We're A Family]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
 ==== Planet Earth ====
 <div style="height:10px;"></div>
@@ Line 442: / Line 442: @@
 File:Stevie Planet Earth.svg|Stevie
 </gallery>
-These designs correspond to the [[Planet Earth (song)|Planet Earth]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
+These designs correspond to the [[Planet Earth]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
 ==== Be Free <small><small>(internally called "Feel Free")</small></small>====
 <div style="height:10px;"></div>
@@ Line 452: / Line 452: @@
 File:Stevie Be Free.svg|Stevie
 </gallery>
-These designs correspond to the [[The Best Things in Life Are Free (song)|The Best Things in Life Are Free]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
+These designs correspond to the [[The Best Things in Life Are Free]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
 ==== Abracadabra ====
 <div style="height:10px;"></div>
@@ Line 462: / Line 462: @@
 File:Stevie Abracadabra.svg|Stevie
 </gallery>
-These designs correspond to the [[Abracadabra (song)|Abradacabra]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
+These designs correspond to the [[Abracadabra]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
 ==== Jump and Shout ====
 <div style="height:10px;"></div>
@@ Line 472: / Line 472: @@
 File:Stevie Jump and Shout.svg|Stevie
 </gallery>
-These designs correspond to the [[Jump and Shout (song)|Jump and Shout]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
+These designs correspond to the [[Jump and Shout]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
 ==== Tomorrow <small><small>(internally called "Grow Up")</small></small>====
 <div style="height:10px;"></div>
@@ Line 482: / Line 482: @@
 File:Stevie Tomorrow.svg|Stevie
 </gallery>
-These designs correspond to the [[When I Grow Up (song)|When I Grow Up]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
+These designs correspond to the [[When I Grow Up]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
 ==== Techno World <small><small>(internally called "Techno")</small></small>====
 <div style="height:10px;"></div>
@@ Line 492: / Line 492: @@
 File:Stevie Techno World.svg|Stevie
 </gallery>
-These designs correspond to the [[Techno World (song)|Techno World]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
+These designs correspond to the [[Techno World]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
 ==== Come Alive ====
 <div style="height:10px;"></div>
@@ Line 502: / Line 502: @@
 File:Stevie Come Alive.svg|Stevie
 </gallery>
-These designs correspond to the [[Come Alive (song)|Come Alive]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
+These designs correspond to the [[Come Alive]] [[Songs of the Week|song of the week]].
 ==== Chores ====
 <div style="height:10px;"></div>