ThunderCats is an American animated science‑fantasy television series produced by Rankin/Bass Animated Entertainment and Leisure Concepts. It debuted in 1985 and is based on characters created by Tobin Wolf, with Leonard Starr serving as head writer. The series follows the adventures of a group of cat‑like humanoid aliens. Episodes were animated by the Japanese studio Pacific Animation Corporation, with Masaki Iizuka as production manager; the studio was acquired in 1989 and became part of Walt Disney Animation Japan. Season 1 aired in 1985 and contained 65 episodes, while Seasons 2, 3, and 4 each featured twenty episodes, beginning with a five‑part storyline.