:Littlest Pet Shop (2012 TV series)

{{Short description|Children's animated television series based on a toy franchise}}

{{Infobox television

| image = Littlest Pet Shop (2012 TV series) logo.png

| genre = {{unbulleted list|Comedy|Fantasy|Musical|Adventure}}

| based_on = {{based on|Littlest Pet Shop and Blythe|Hasbro}}

| developer = {{ubl|Julie McNally Cahill|Tim Cahill}}

| director = {{unbulleted list|Joel Dickie (S1–3)|Steve Garcia (S4)|Mike Myhre (S4)}}

| voices = See {{section link||Cast}}

| theme_music_composer = {{unbulleted list|Daniel Ingram}}

| composer = {{plainlist |

}}

| country = {{plainlist|

United States
Canada

}}

| language = English

| num_seasons = 4

| num_episodes = 104

| list_episodes = List of Littlest Pet Shop episodes

| executive_producer = {{unbulleted list|Julie McNally Cahill|Tim Cahill|Chris Bartleman (S1–2)|Kirsten Newlands|Stephen Davis}}

| producer = {{unbulleted list|Chantal Hennessey (S1–3)|Lesley Jenner (S3–4)}}

| runtime = 22 minutes

| company = Hasbro Studios

| channel = Discovery Family{{efn|Known as The Hub/Hub Network before October 13, 2014{{cite press release |last1=Stewart |first1=Liz |title=It's Official: Discovery Family Channel is Here! |url=https://corporate.discovery.com/blog/2014/10/13/its-official-discovery-family-channel-is-here |publisher=Discovery, Inc. |access-date=February 26, 2024 |date=October 13, 2014 |archive-date=August 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811044804/https://corporate.discovery.com/blog/2014/10/13/its-official-discovery-family-channel-is-here/ |url-status=live }}}}

| first_aired = {{start date|2012|11|10}}

| last_aired = {{end date|2016|6|4}}

| related = Littlest Pet Shop (1995)
Littlest Pet Shop: A World of Our Own (2018)

}}

Littlest Pet Shop is an animated musical children's television series produced by Hasbro Studios and animated by DHX Media. The series is based on the Littlest Pet Shop and Blythe toylines by Hasbro and was broadcast on Discovery Family from November 10, 2012 to June 4, 2016. It centers on Blythe Baxter, a teen girl who, after moving into an apartment in a city named Downtown City, gains the ability to communicate with animals.{{cite book |last1=Perlmutter |first1=David |title=The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows |date=2018 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1538103739 |page=367}} Located below her apartment is the eponymous pet store where Blythe works and talks to a group of pets who regularly reside at a daycare in the shop. Worried that a corrupt rival business might drive their shop out of business, it is up to Blythe to drive business into the store with her pet fashion designs.

The series received praise from reviewers for its writing and characters. However, it was criticized for its embedded marketing. Additionally, several crew members received accolades for working on the series. The series was part of the company's franchise reboot. Hasbro released a new line of Littlest Pet Shop toys designed to more closely resemble the characters on the series. A mobile game and comic book adaptation were also made.

Premise

The series follows Blythe Baxter, a young girl living with her airplane pilot father, Roger. Forced to move out from her suburban hometown following her father's promotion to the rank of airline captain, she moves into an apartment located in a place called Downtown City. Their complex is located above the eponymous Littlest Pet Shop — a pet shop that also serves as a day camp for numerous pets — where Blythe works as a fashion designer. Her adventure begins when she discovers that she alone can miraculously understand and talk to the pets that regularly stay at the shop, in addition to most other animals on the planet. As she and the pets spend time together, they find the pet shop jeopardized by a larger pet store managed by Fisher Biskit and his snotty twin daughters Brittany and Whittany Biskit. To avoid being dispersed, the pets convince Blythe to remain an employee.

The pets who reside in the day camp of the shop are Pepper Clark, a wisecracking striped skunk who is passionate about comedy; Minka Mark, a bouncy spider monkey with a love for painting and visual arts; Penny Ling, a sensitive giant panda interested in rhythmic gymnastics; Russell Ferguson, a hedgehog who is often the self-appointed leader of his animal bunkmates; Sunil Nevla, an Indian mongoose and hopeful magician; Vinnie Terrio, a clumsy gecko obsessed with dancing; and Zoe Trent, a diva-like Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with a talent for singing. Other human characters include Mrs. Anna Twombly, owner of the shop and Blythe's boss; and Youngmee Song, Jasper Jones, and Sue Patterson; Blythe's friends.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/littlest-pet-shop/cast/464373/|title=Littlest Pet Shop Cast and Details|work=TV Guide|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108101200/http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/littlest-pet-shop/cast/464373|archive-date=January 8, 2015|access-date=October 12, 2015}}

Episodes

Characters

Cast

=Main cast=

Ashleigh Ball – Blythe Baxter, Shea Butter, Lemonface, Hubble, Baa Baa Lou, Sunshine Sweetness, Mitzi, Fluffy Lighting, Cindeanna Mellon, Alice
Sam Vincent – Russell Ferguson, Esteban Banderas, Sam U.L., Sunil's Dad, Steve, Sweet Cheeks, Canine Cop, Captain Cuddles, Panda Elder, Speedy Shellberg, Weasel Whiskers, Fisher Biskit, Morgan Payne, Josh Sharp, Mr. Bromidic, Mr. Banks, Sherman, Mr. Sawdust
Peter New – Sunil Nevla, Mary Frances, 3DGB, Digby, Joey Featherton, Otto Von Fuzzlebutt, Whiskers, Dodger, Weber, Basil, Big Al, Harold Winston, Ivan, Vlad, Tenzing Norgert, Francois LeGrande, Christopher Lyedecker, Riley Robinson, Fred, Littlest Pat, John Trent
Kyle Rideout – Vinnie Terrio
Tabitha St. Germain – Pepper Clark, Gail Trent, Sunil's Mom, Cairo, Mushroom, Delilah Barnsley, Parker, Nutmeg Dash, Philippa, McKenna Nicole, Finola Frumt, Mona Autumn, Stephanie Hart, Tess McSavage, Clarissa Trent
Kira Tozer – Minka Mark, Olive Shellstein, Christie, Sue Patterson, Tanya Twitchel, Ginny Hues
Nicole Oliver – Zoe Trent, Genghis, Tiger, Cashmere Biskit, Velvet Biskit, Scarletta Redd, Clover Fields, Mrs. Mondt
Jocelyne Loewen – Penny Ling, Meow-Meow
Kathleen Barr – Anna Twombly, Madame Pom, Poppy Pawsley, Scout Kerry, Dolores, Fleur le Moose, Jasper Jones, Henrietta Twombly, Vi Tannabruzzo, Robinnia Amster
Shannon Chan-Kent – Brittany Biskit, Whittany Biskit, Youngmee Song, Madison, Brittman Biskit, Whittman Biskit, Phoebe, Strum Basso
Michael Kopsa – Roger Baxter, Chef Henri
Cathy Weseluck – Buttercream Sundae, Jane, Judi Jo Jameson

=Additional cast=

Brian Drummond – Fuzzy Gumbopaws, Shivers, Shahrukh, L-Zard, Ollie Arms, Desi, Jerry Ferguson, Shakespeare, Lord Twigg
Colin Murdock – Ramon, Tangier, Wiggles McSunbask, Cheep-Cheep, Twist, Bob Flemingheimer, Oliver St. Oliver
Kelly Metzger – Sugar Sprinkles
Brooke Goldner – Emma Hart, Peachy Fluffton
Terry Klassen – Dr. Handsomeface, Princess Stori Jameson
Casey Wilson – Felina Meow
Heidi Klum – Heidi
Dan Sioui – Jason 1
Anne Yoo – Jebbie
Lee Tockar – Sideburns

Origin

File:2950hollywoodway.JPG

Hasbro owns the rights of both Blythe and Littlest Pet Shop, toy lines respectively introduced in 1972 and 1992.{{Cite journal|url=http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2007-12-12/hasbros-little-cash-cows|title=Hasbro's Little Cash Cows|journal=Bloomberg Businessweek|publisher=Bloomberg L.P.|issue=4061–4065|page=66|date=December 12, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714030708/http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2007-12-12/hasbros-little-cash-cows|archive-date=July 14, 2014}} Both lines were originally manufactured by Cincinnati-based Kenner Products. Kenner became a part of Hasbro when the Pawtucket-based company acquired Tonka (the parent company of Kenner back then) in 1991. Hasbro sold Littlest Pet Shop toys under the name of this division until they closed down Kenner's original Cincinnati headquarters in 2000.{{Cite news|last=Fasig |first=Lisa Biank |date=October 13, 2000 |url=http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2000/10/13/fin_hasbro_exits_home_of.html |title=Hasbro Exits Home of Play-Doh, G.I. Joe |work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |publisher=Gannett Company |archive-url=https://timetravel.mementoweb.org/memento/20131014010118/http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2000/10/13/fin_hasbro_exits_home_of.html |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |access-date=January 24, 2014 |url-status=dead }} Claster Television, Hasbro's television arm at the time, had produced an earlier animated show based on Littlest Pet Shop in 1995 for Hasbro,{{Cite journal|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17186437.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201081823/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-17186437.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 1, 2017|title=Claster Television Sells the Littlest Pet Shop to 87 Stations|journal=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=Reed Business Information|volume=125|issue=32|page=20|date=August 7, 1995|via=HighBeam Research}} but the 2012 Littlest Pet Shop series marked the first adaptation of the Blythe doll to a character on television. A prior incarnation of such a character is the protagonist of Littlest Pet Shop Presents, an unrelated animated miniseries produced by Cosmic Toast Studios and released by Hasbro exclusively on the internet.{{Cite web|url=http://cosmictoaststudios.com/littlest-pet-shop/|title=Blythe Loves Littlest Pet Shop|publisher=Cosmic Toast Studios|date=May 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120801032821/http://cosmictoaststudios.com/littlest-pet-shop/|archive-date=August 1, 2012|access-date=June 25, 2013}}

Julie McNally-Cahill and Tim Cahill, the creators of Cartoon Network's My Gym Partner's a Monkey, developed Littlest Pet Shop upon joining Hasbro Studios in September 2011.{{Cite journal|last=Milligan|first=Mercedes|date=January 2013|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/free-digital-preview.pdf|title=The Next Little Big Thing?|journal=Animation Magazine|volume=27|issue=1|page=30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723045705/http://www.animationmagazine.net/free-digital-preview.pdf|archive-date=July 23, 2014}} The two serve as both executive producers and story editors on the show; also working as executive producers are Chris Bartleman and Kirsten Newman. The show was announced in March 2011,{{Cite web|last1=Kern|first1=Mark|last2=Shields|first2=J. P.|date=March 24, 2011|url=http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/HAS/2546682056x0x477838/7deecae3-3d79-4d78-adae-6294e1c56920/HAS_News_2011_3_24_Hub.pdf|title=The Hub Television Network Unveils Robust 2011–12 Program Schedule, Building on Success as Destination for Kids and Their Families|publisher=Hasbro|page=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927194100/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/HAS/2546682056x0x477838/7deecae3-3d79-4d78-adae-6294e1c56920/HAS_News_2011_3_24_Hub.pdf|archive-date=September 27, 2013|access-date=October 12, 2015}} based on Hasbro's 2010 introduction of the Blythe Loves Littlest Pet Shop toy line.{{Cite web|last1=Walsh|first1=Paula|last2=Eckenroth|first2=Shelly|last3=Leddy|first3=Mary|date=June 7, 2010|url=http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/HAS/2546682056x0x477633/6878cf79-e236-4b51-a045-a90e7e5285f6/HAS_News_2010_6_7_Entertainment_Licensing.pdf|title=Hasbro Continues to Expand Its Immersive Global Brand Experiences Through Entertainment and Lifestyle Licensing|publisher=Hasbro|page=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927194102/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/HAS/2546682056x0x477633/6878cf79-e236-4b51-a045-a90e7e5285f6/HAS_News_2010_6_7_Entertainment_Licensing.pdf|archive-date=September 27, 2013|access-date=October 12, 2015}} Margaret Loesch, then-CEO of the Hub Network—a network partly owned by Hasbro and Discovery Communications—commissioned the series.{{Cite web|last=Flint|first=Joe|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-hub-loesch-20140612-story.html|title=Hub CEO Margaret Loesch to Depart at the End of the Year|work=Los Angeles Times|date=12 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613210206/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-hub-loesch-20140612-story.html|archive-date=June 13, 2014|access-date=October 12, 2015}}

Production

Given Hasbro's framework for Littlest Pet Shop, the Cahills pitched their adaptation of the property. Hasbro originally felt discouraged over having the show set at the pet store, finding the exchange of animals they thought would come from that disconcerting. The Cahills saw the studio's definition of such stores as antiquated, convincing them that most modern locations provide grooming and daycare services as opposed to merely selling pets. Production followed quickly, to their surprise.

The studio defined only Blythe and the pets as characters, so the Cahills sought to expand the human character's fictional universe, designing Blythe's friends, Mrs. Twombly and the Biskit twins. Julie explained that she and her husband's preference for quirky comedy inspired that of the show. While the show is aimed at a demographic of young girls,{{Efn|Under the TV Parental Guidelines, the show is rated TV-Y, indicating a program appropriate for all children. In specific, Common Sense Media assessed the show as appropriate for ages four and up.}} Julie explain that she and the writers attempt to cater to boys of the same age and parent viewers simultaneously.{{Cite journal|last=Milligan |first=Mercedes |date=January 2013 |url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/free-digital-preview.pdf |title=The Next Little Big Thing? |journal=Animation Magazine |volume=27 |issue=1 |page=31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723045705/http://www.animationmagazine.net/free-digital-preview.pdf |archive-date=July 23, 2014 |url-status=unfit }} Original music for the show is accomplished by film and television composers Daniel Ingram and Steffan Andrews. Ingram wrote that the urban setting of Littlest Pet Shop prompted the use of a modern style of music. The score incorporates pop and different cultural influences for the same reason.{{Cite web|last=Connelly|first=Sherilyn|date=November 9, 2012|url=http://www.sfweekly.com/exhibitionist/2012/11/09/interview-daniel-ingram-songwriter-for-my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic|title=Interview: Daniel Ingram, Songwriter for My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|work=SF Weekly|publisher=San Francisco Media Company|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725072159/http://www.sfweekly.com/exhibitionist/2012/11/09/interview-daniel-ingram-songwriter-for-my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic|archive-date=July 25, 2015|access-date=October 12, 2015}} Ingram found Hasbro's pushing of the limitations for music in daytime television a source of pride.

Each 22-minute episode takes approximately a year to complete; three to four episodes are produced simultaneously. Storyboard artists depict scenes using SketchBook Pro. Adapting these boards to limited animation, studio DHX Media handles the designs, poses, and keyframes of movement for each character appearing in a given scene for an episode, as well as background art. DHX hands these assets to a separate studio, where the remaining animation is finished using Adobe Flash. The speed of production is throttled slightly by Blythe having two unique outfits per episode, according to director Joel Dickie. Supervising director Dallas Parker similarly explained that the variety of assets created for each episode challenged the process of Flash animation in reusing movements.

Release

=Broadcast=

The Hub aired the first two episodes of Littlest Pet Shop in succession on November 10,

2012. The network scheduled these episodes to succeed the third season premiere of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, based on the My Little Pony toy line which is also owned by Hasbro.{{Cite magazine|last=Busis|first=Hillary|date=November 2, 2012|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2012/11/02/littlest-pet-shop-exclusive-clip|title=Meet the Hero and Villains of Littlest Pet Shop, The Hub's Latest Cartoon|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725075822/http://www.ew.com/article/2012/11/02/littlest-pet-shop-exclusive-clip|archive-date=July 25, 2015|access-date=October 12, 2015}} The network ordered 26 episodes for its first season, concluding it on April 27, 2013.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/littlest-pet-shop/episodes-season-1/464373 |title=Littlest Pet Shop Season 1 Episodes |work=TV Guide |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112160535/http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/littlest-pet-shop/episodes-season-1/464373 |archive-date=January 12, 2015 |access-date=October 12, 2015 |url-status=unfit }} A second season, also of 26 episodes, premiered on November 2, 2013, and concluded on April 12, 2014.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/littlest-pet-shop/episodes-season-2/464373|title=Littlest Pet Shop Season 2 Episodes|work=TV Guide|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112160535/http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/littlest-pet-shop/episodes-season-1/464373|archive-date=January 12, 2015 |access-date=October 12, 2015}} A third season of the same number of episodes aired from May 31, 2014, to March 7, 2015.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/littlest-pet-shop/episodes-season-3/464373|title=Littlest Pet Shop Season 3 Episodes|work=TV Guide|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011184247/http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/littlest-pet-shop/episodes-season-3/464373|archive-date=October 11, 2015 |access-date=October 12, 2015}} During this season, the network shifted management and was renamed to Discovery Family.{{Cite web|last=Thielman |first=Sam |date=February 23, 2015 |url=http://www.adweek.com/news/television/after-rocky-few-years-hasbro-s-tv-strategy-changing-again-163083 |title=The Rise and Fall and Rise of Hasbro's TV Strategy |work=Adweek |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905133634/http://www.adweek.com/news/television/after-rocky-few-years-hasbro-s-tv-strategy-changing-again-163083 |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |access-date=October 12, 2015 |url-status=unfit }} A fourth and final season was aired beginning November 7, 2015.{{Cite web|last=Eschbacher|first=Roger|date=October 10, 2015|url=http://www.rogereschbacher.com/2015/10/littlest-pet-shop-final-season-begins.html|title=Littlest Pet Shop: The Final Season Begins November 7|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012055712/http://www.rogereschbacher.com/2015/10/littlest-pet-shop-final-season-begins.html|archive-date=October 12, 2015|access-date=October 12, 2015|url-status=live}}

=Home media and streaming services=

Shout! Factory has acquired North American distribution rights for programs broadcast by The Hub, releasing several DVD sets for Littlest Pet Shop.{{Cite web|last=Barnes|first=Mike|date=August 13, 2013|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/my-little-pony-shout-hasbro-604350|title=Shout! Factory, Hasbro in Deal for More My Little Pony|work=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130817005504/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/my-little-pony-shout-hasbro-604350|archive-date=August 17, 2013|access-date=February 19, 2014}} Clear Vision, a distributor located in the United Kingdom, obtained the rights for its first two seasons for most of European regions and the Middle East.{{Cite web|last=Dominic|first=Sacco|url=http://www.licensing.biz/news/read/hasbro-inks-home-entertainment-deal-with-clear-vision/027547|title=Hasbro Inks Home Entertainment Deal with Clear Vision|work=Licensing.biz|publisher=NewBay Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929120741/http://www.licensing.biz/news/read/hasbro-inks-home-entertainment-deal-with-clear-vision/027547|archive-date=September 29, 2015 |access-date=October 12, 2015}} Beyond Home Entertainment handles distribution in Australia.{{Cite web|url=http://www.beyondhe.com.au/shows/tvseries/littlest-pet-shop/|title=Littlest Pet Shop|publisher=Beyond Home Entertainment|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826151224/http://www.beyondhe.com.au/shows/tvseries/littlest-pet-shop/|archive-date=August 26, 2014|access-date=October 17, 2015}} On April 11, 2013, Hasbro announced that it would add Littlest Pet Shop to the Netflix streaming service.{{Cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|url=https://www.variety.com/2013/digital/news/netflix-expands-kid-vid-pact-with-hasbro-1200348070/|title=Netflix Expands Kid-Vid Pact with Hasbro|website=Variety|date=11 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216165007/https://variety.com/2013/digital/news/netflix-expands-kid-vid-pact-with-hasbro-1200348070/|archive-date=December 16, 2014|access-date=November 7, 2021}} The show was added in the summer of that year.

class="wikitable collapsible collapsed sortable" style="width:100%;text-align:center;"

|+ Region 1

! scope="col" width="60%" | DVD title

! scope="col" width="10%" | Season(s)

! scope="col" width="10%" | Episode count

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Little Pets, Big Adventures

| rowspan="4" | 1

| rowspan="9" | 5

| January 15, 2013

| [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009INAMA8 B009INAMA8]

Sweetest Pets

| June 4, 2013

| [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BNAE6LK B00BNAE6LK]

Pet-acular Escapades

| October 1, 2013

| [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DOZNIHU B00DOZNIHU]

Lights, Camera, Fashion!

| December 17, 2013

| [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EVDZT94 B00EVDZT94]

Strike a Pose!

| 1–2

| June 3, 2014

| [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HRUQBLI B00HRUQBLI]

Passport to Fashion

| 2

| September 23, 2014

| [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KTFJ6HE B00KTFJ6HE]

Pet Shop Pals

| 1–2

| March 17, 2015

| [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QJN33DS B00QJN33DS]

Paws for Applause

| rowspan="2" | 1–3

| June 16, 2015

| [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UART8AG B00UART8AG]

Halloween Fest

| September 1, 2015

| [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YT9IVZE B00YT9IVZE]

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! scope="col" width="60%" | DVD title

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Little Pets, Big Adventures

| rowspan="2" | 1

| 5

| August 3, 2015

| [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X110K1O B00X110K1O]

Lights, Camera, Mongoose!

| 6

| October 19, 2015

| [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013HYQETQ B013HYQETQ]

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! scope="col" width="60%" | DVD title

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! scope="col" width="10%" | Episode count

! scope="col" width="20%" | Release date{{Cite web|url=http://www.beyondhe.com.au/littlest-pet-shop-blythe-s-big-adventure.html |title=Littlest Pet Shop: Blythe's Big Adventure |publisher=Beyond Home Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155641/http://www.beyondhe.com.au/littlest-pet-shop-blythe-s-big-adventure.html |archive-date=March 21, 2015 |access-date=October 27, 2015 |url-status=dead }} See also:

{{Cite web|url=http://www.beyondhe.com.au/littlest-pet-shop-sweetest-pets.html |title=Littlest Pet Shop: Sweetest Pets |publisher=Beyond Home Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155605/http://www.beyondhe.com.au/littlest-pet-shop-sweetest-pets.html |archive-date=March 21, 2015 |access-date=October 27, 2015 |url-status=dead }}
{{Cite web|url=http://www.beyondhe.com.au/littlest-pet-shop-petacular-escapades-standard.html |title=Littlest Pet Shop: Petacular Escapades! |publisher=Beyond Home Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155553/http://www.beyondhe.com.au/littlest-pet-shop-petacular-escapades-standard.html |archive-date=March 21, 2015 |access-date=October 27, 2015 |url-status=dead }}
{{Cite web|url=http://www.beyondhe.com.au/littlest-pet-shop-lights-camera-fashion.html |title=Littlest Pet Shop: Lights, Camera, Fashion! |publisher=Beyond Home Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321155537/http://www.beyondhe.com.au/littlest-pet-shop-lights-camera-fashion.html |archive-date=March 21, 2015 |access-date=October 27, 2015 |url-status=dead }}

Blythe's Big Adventure

| rowspan="4" | 1

| rowspan="4" | 5

| rowspan="2" | November 6, 2013

Sweetest Pets

Pet-acular Escapades

| February 2, 2014

Lights, Camera, Fashion!

| April 28, 2014

Reception

Littlest Pet Shop became one of the Hub Network's top programs in 2013.{{Cite journal|last=Dickson|first=Jeremy|url=http://kidscreen.com/content/pdf/51595.pdf|title=Spooky Good Fun|date=October 2013|editor=Castleman, Lana|journal=Kidscreen|pages=42|publisher=Brunico Communications|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024213706/http://kidscreen.com/content/pdf/51595.pdf|archive-date=October 24, 2013}} Both the show and My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic were outperforming shows aimed at similar demographics internationally, according to Stephen Davis, president of Hasbro Studios.{{Cite web|last=Carugati |first=Anna |url=http://www.worldscreen.com/articles/display/2014-1-10-kid-hasbro-studios-stephen-davis |title=Q&A with Hasbro's Stephen Davis |date=January 10, 2014 |work=TV Kids |publisher=World Screen |archive-url=https://timetravel.mementoweb.org/memento/20140110205516/http://www.worldscreen.com/articles/display/2014-1-10-kid-hasbro-studios-stephen-davis |archive-date=January 10, 2014 |access-date=October 12, 2015 |url-status=dead }} Hasbro rebooted their toy line in accordance with the show; newer collections features customizable sets for fans to "create, decorate and personalize their own scenes" inspired by episodes.{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/photos/2014-american-international-toy-fair-22549834/image-22550315|title=2014 American International Toy Fair|work=ABC News|publisher=ABC News Internet Ventures|page=14|date=February 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110205516/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/photos/2014-american-international-toy-fair-22549834/image-22550315|archive-date=January 10, 2014 |access-date=March 1, 2014}}

Writing for the parent-focused organization Common Sense Media, Emily Ashby found the show unimpressive. She praised Blythe as a model of "integrity, self-confidence, loyalty, and creativity" but found fault with product placement and the "run-of-the-mill" pet characters.{{Cite web|last=Ashby|first=Emily|date=November 7, 2012|url=http://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/littlest-pet-shop|title=Littlest Pet Shop TV Review|publisher=Common Sense Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130122153150/http://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/littlest-pet-shop|archive-date=January 22, 2013|access-date=June 24, 2013}} Mercedes Milligan of Animation Magazine, however, described the varied personalities of the pet characters as the most endearing trait of the show. Writing in Entertainment Weekly, Hillary Busis found the Biskit twins amusing as characters. Busis praised the twenty-first episode of the first season in particular, which contains a parody of both Toddlers & Tiaras and the Christopher Guest–directed film Best in Show.{{Cite magazine|last=Busis|first=Hillary|date=March 22, 2013|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2013/03/22/littlest-pet-shop-toddlers-tiaras|title=Littlest Pet Shop Goes All Best in Show with Toddlers & Tiaras Spoof|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Time Inc.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402170453/http://www.ew.com/article/2013/03/22/littlest-pet-shop-toddlers-tiaras|archive-date=April 2, 2015|access-date=October 12, 2015}} An homage to Star Trek was singled out by Hanh Nguyen in TV Guide.{{Cite web|last=Nguyen|first=Hanh|date=February 15, 2013|url=http://www.tvguide.com/news/exclusive-video-littlest-pet-shop-star-trek-1061046/|title=Littlest Pet Shop Pays Homage to Star Trek|work=TV Guide|publisher=CBS Interactive|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725012754/http://www.tvguide.com/news/exclusive-video-littlest-pet-shop-star-trek-1061046/|archive-date=July 25, 2015|access-date=October 12, 2015}}

Tori Michel of About Entertainment gave praise to a DVD set containing five episodes of the first season. She wrote that despite the intended demographic, older children in elementary and middle school would find the writing humorous, while girls would find the pet characters entertaining the most. The Dove Foundation member Donna Rolfe gave the same set a full five stars.{{Cite web|last=Rolfe|first=Donna|date=February 10, 2014|url=http://www.dove.org/review/9686-littlest-pet-shop-little-pets-big-adventures/|title=Dove Family Friendly Movie Reviews: Littlest Pet Shop: Little Pets, Big Adventures|publisher=The Dove Foundation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302045712/http://www.dove.org/review/9686-littlest-pet-shop-little-pets-big-adventures/|archive-date=March 2, 2014|access-date=February 25, 2014}}

The show was nominated at the 40th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards for the song "If You're a Guy" in 2013, but it lost this to 3rd & Bird.{{Cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jun/16/entertainment/la-et-40th-daytime-emmy-awards-complete-list-20130616/2|title=The 40th Daytime Emmy Awards: Complete List of Winners|work=Los Angeles Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719072743/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jun/16/entertainment/la-et-40th-daytime-emmy-awards-complete-list-20130616/2|date=June 16, 2013|page=2|archive-date=July 19, 2013|url-status=dead|access-date=October 12, 2015}} Oliver's portrayal of Zoe won her an award from ACTRA and the Union of British Columbia Performers.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ubcp.com/press-releases/2013/11/top-bc-talent-honoured-at-the-2013-ubcpactra-awards-in-vancouver/|title=Top British Columbian Talent Honoured at the 2013 UBCP–ACTRA Awards in Vancouver|publisher=Union of British Columbia Performers|date=September 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202223151/http://www.ubcp.com/press-releases/2013/11/top-bc-talent-honoured-at-the-2013-ubcpactra-awards-in-vancouver/|archive-date=December 2, 2013|access-date=October 12, 2015}} New, who voices Sunil, was nominated for this but lost to Oliver.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ubcp.com/press-releases/2013/11/top-bc-talent-honoured-at-the-2013-ubcpactra-awards-in-vancouver/|title=UBCP–ACTRA Announces the Nominees for the 2013 UBCP–ACTRA Awards|publisher=Union of British Columbia Performers|date=September 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921012058/http://www.ubcp.com/press-releases/2013/09/3875|archive-date=September 21, 2013|access-date=October 12, 2015}} Ingram and Andrews were nominated for Leo Awards for their work as composers of the episode "Lights, Camera, Mongoose!" in 2014. The duo later won this nomination in common.{{Cite web|url=http://www.leoawards.com/2014/winners_saturday/|title=2014 Saturday Winners|publisher=Troika Productions and Events One|date=May 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605051644/http://www.leoawards.com/2014/winners_saturday|archive-date=June 5, 2014|access-date=October 12, 2015}}

=Mobile game=

{{Infobox video game

| state=collapsed

| title=Littlest Pet Shop

| developer=Gameloft

| publisher=Hasbro

| platforms={{Unbulleted list|iOS|Android}}

| released={{Video game release|WW|{{Start date|2012|11|22}}}}

| genre=City-building

}}

As part of a contractual agreement with Hasbro, Gameloft developed a mobile game based on the show.{{Cite web|last=Fahey|first=Mike|date=May 31, 2014|url=http://kotaku.com/5962632/my-little-pony-too-hardcore-for-you-try-littlest-pet-shop|title=My Little Pony Too Hardcore for You? Try Littlest Pet Shop.|work=Kotaku|publisher=Gawker Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121127175120/http://kotaku.com/5962632/my-little-pony-too-hardcore-for-you-try-littlest-pet-shop|archive-date=November 27, 2012|access-date=October 12, 2015}} Released in the same year the show premiered, on November 22, the game is of the city-building genre. The game, Littlest Pet Shop, is freemium software—microtransactions allows users to speed up the progression of the game. The game provides over 150 animal companions for users to collect; minigames allow players to take care of these pets.{{Cite web|last=Nelson|first=Jared|date=November 12, 2012|url=http://toucharcade.com/2012/11/12/gameloft-announces-littlest-pet-shop-arriving-november-22nd/|title=Gameloft Announces Littlest Pet Shop, Arriving November 22nd|work=TouchArcade|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116032532/http://toucharcade.com/2012/11/12/gameloft-announces-littlest-pet-shop-arriving-november-22nd/|archive-date=November 16, 2012|access-date=October 12, 2015}} Its initial release was for the iOS platform. An Android port was released shortly afterwards.

Writing in TouchArcade, Jared Nelson wrote that the game is unexceptional for players who are not fans of the toy line. While in the United Kingdom the game was subject of controversy concerning its incorporation of in-app purchases, the Advertising Standards Authority deemed it acceptable. The organization found that the instructions detailing purchases did not coerce players to make such purchases.{{Cite web|last=Parfitt|first=Ben|date=December 4, 2014|url=http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/asa-dismisses-littlest-pet-shop-in-app-purchases-complaint/0142364|title=ASA Dismisses Littlest Pet Shop In-App-Purchases Complaint|work=MCV|publisher=NewBay Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104142707/http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/asa-dismisses-littlest-pet-shop-in-app-purchases-complaint/0142364|archive-date=January 4, 2015|access-date=October 12, 2015}}

=Comic book=

IDW Publishing was commissioned to adapt Littlest Pet Shop to a comic book. An adaptation made up of five issues, released from May 7 to September 17, 2014,{{Cite web|url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=23569|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914072249/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=23569|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 14, 2014|title=Preview: Littlest Pet Shop No. 5|work=Comic Book Resources|date=September 13, 2014|access-date=October 12, 2015}} was written by Georgia Ball and Matt Anderson and illustrated by Nico Peña and Antonio Campo.{{Cite web|last=Morris|first=Steve|date=April 23, 2014|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/04/07/littlest-pet-shop-will-provide-brain-food-for-kids-the-bleeding-cool-interview-with-georgia-ball-and-matt-anderson/|title=Georgia Ball Opens the Littlest Pet Shop Up for Business|work=Comics Beat|publisher=The Beat|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702142123/http://comicsbeat.com/georgia-ball-opens-the-littlest-pet-shop-up-for-business-interview/|archive-date=July 2, 2014 |access-date=October 12, 2015}} Anderson had worked on the shorter, contained stories, while Ball had scripted the remainder of each issue.{{Cite web|last=Means-Shannon|first=Hannah|date=April 7, 2014|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/04/07/littlest-pet-shop-will-provide-brain-food-for-kids-the-bleeding-cool-interview-with-georgia-ball-and-matt-anderson/|title=Littlest Pet Shop Supplies 'Brain Food' for Kids – The Bleeding Cool Interview With Georgia Ball and Matt Anderson|work=Bleeding Cool|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811193412/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/04/07/littlest-pet-shop-will-provide-brain-food-for-kids-the-bleeding-cool-interview-with-georgia-ball-and-matt-anderson/|archive-date=August 11, 2014|access-date=October 12, 2015}}

Different from the other Hasbro properties Ball had worked on, she explained that Hasbro wanted the comic to entertain readers rather than be morally didactic. She likened this to the principle of "no hugging, no learning" coined on the set of Seinfeld. Apart from that, the studio gave Ball a license to give Blythe hobbies not depicted on the show. Ball focused on writing stories that would appeal to readers transitioning from primary to secondary education. She described the structure of the comic as a daily drama, while Anderson thought of it as slice of life.

Notes

References

External links

{{IMDb title|2244077}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20150925084739/http://www.hasbrostudios.com/shows/page/title/littlest-pet-shop Littlest Pet Shop] at Hasbro Studios
[https://web.archive.org/web/20150801152859/http://www.popfun.co.uk/Littlest-Pet-Shop Littlest Pet Shop] on Pop
[http://www.ytv.com/shows/littlest-pet-shop Littlest Pet Shop] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106064337/http://www.ytv.com/shows/littlest-pet-shop |date=2016-11-06 }} on YTV