51 minSeason 1 • Episode 8
LatestWhile on a well deserved vacation, Jonathan, Ty and Brooke get involved to thwart an attempt by a syndicate boss to illegally take over the town of Birch Hollow in order legalize gambling and build a large casino. TRANSFORMATIONS: a horse, black panther, bear (twice) and hawk.
Jonathan Chase was a British college professor at New York University who had the unusual ability to transform into any kind of animal. He used his powers to battle crime alongside pretty policewoman Brooke and Vietnam-war pal Ty.
Practical Effects
Gloriously unconvincing animal costumes and morphing effects
Acting
Simon MacCorkindale's absolute commitment to nonsense
Creator
Glen A. Larson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The transformation sequences were so expensive that NBC literally cancelled the show for budget reasons, not ratings. Each morph cost roughly $25,000 in 1983 money.
Manimal briefly appeared in the 2023 Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers movie as a washed-up has-been, cementing its legacy as pop culture's favorite failure.
US
