She-Ra: The Best Female Action Hero Ever?
Princess of Power
Forget the recent redone series, the original animated series of She-Ra was the best, and hugely popular. As a child, in the 1980s, I remember how much I enjoyed the fun-packed adventure series, seeing a strong, tough lady fighting her battles was incredible and exciting to see. She-Ra fought for what she believed in, and her attitude was a great role model for girls. She-Ra just absolutely wowed us! With her mighty strength and healing powers, she was acrobatic, fast, gentle, beautiful, kind. Above all she was an action hero who was female.
She-Ra was an action hero during a time when action heroes were aimed at boys. Though She-Ra was originally aimed at girls, she was in fact just as popular with boys. She made her debut in the 1985 film He-Man And She-Ra: The Secret Of The Sword, as Force Captain, Adora. The Princess Of Power truly made her mark and left a remarkable impression on audiences.
Princess Adora
For those of you who watched She-Ra let's take a trip down memory lane and reminisce. Without her magic powers She-Ra was Adora who discovered she was the long lost twin sister of Prince Adam, she was kidnapped as a baby. Her parents were King Randor and Queen Marlena. Prince Adam was of course He-Man, who Adora was just as tough and strong as. He-Man first appeared in comics in 1982, the animated He-Man series began in 1983. Where we saw He-Man defending the realm of Eternia, and the secrets of Castle Grayskull from the evil forces of Skeletor.
Adora, or Princess Adora, was granted the Sword Of Protection, which equalled He-Mans Sword Of Power. The sword gave Adora the power to turn into her secret identity She-Ra, by saying the words "For the honour of Grayskull." She then became the Most Powerful Woman In The Universe.
The animated series followed the adventures of Princess Adora, who leads a group of Freedom Fighters, known as the Great Rebellion. Their mission was the fight to set Etheria free from the evil rule of Hordak and the sinister Horde.
A Role Model For Girls
We had the pleasure of two series of the American animation. With a total of 93 episodes, each 24 minutes long. It premiered on 9th September 1985, and finished on 2nd December 1986. But luckily for us it was often rerun throughout the 1980s!
Naturally She-Ra had her crew, there was her trusted and loyal companion Spirit, her Steed, who turned into a winged unicorn, Swift Wind. Madam Razz, a witch, who was one of only a few people who knew Adora was She-Ra. Madam Razz had her companion, Broom.
Then there was Kowl, a flying creature, a mix between an owl and a koala. Kowl also knew Adora was She-Ra. Princess Glimmer, the daughter of Queen Angella, was the original leader of the Rebellion, but she handed the leadership over to She-Ra.
Other Rebellion members included, She-Ra's one true love Bow, and his faithful Steed, Arrow. Queen Frosta, Queen Castaspella, Fluttering, Netossa, Peekablue and the Rebellions chief spy, Double Trouble.
She-Ra was inspirational.
Like all popular programmes in the 1980s, along came a huge amount of merchandise. The merchandise was gigantic! With toys by Mattel, posters, books, sunglasses, slippers, stationary, curtains, flasks, lunch boxes, cakes, clothing, bedding, curtains, PJ's. The toy figure of She-Ra was serious competition for Barbie, she really gave her a run for her money! She-Ra also had long hair, different outfits, though she was classed as an action figure.
In 1985 around $60 million of She-Ra merchandise was sold. But that was nothing compared to the He-Man merchandise sales the following year, He-Man raked in $400 million. Wow!
She-Ra taught us that women could be much more than just a sidekick. We too could fight for our beliefs, know what we want and go for it. Truly inspirational. Ever girl needs a She-Ra role model to look up too!
About the Creator
Hayley Dodwell
I am a freelance writer. As well as Vocal, I have also written articles for numerous websites, including, Eighties Kids, WhatCulture, Child Of The 1980's, Online Book Club, GoNOMAD Travel, Hubpages, and ScreenHub Entertainment.
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.