Firebuds is an American animated children's comedy television series created by Craig Gerber, produced by Electric Emu Productions and Disney Television Animation. The series premiered on Disney Jr. on September 21, 2022.
Premise
In a world where human and talking cars co-exist, a group of kids and their rescue vehicle buddies go through the communities of Gearbox Grove and Motopolis and help keep them safe from danger.
Characters
Main
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Bo Bayani (voiced by Declan Whaley
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Flash Fireson (voiced by Terrence Little Gardenhigh in season one
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Violet Vega-Vaughn (voiced by Vivian Vencer
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Axl Ambrose (voiced by Lily Sanfelippo
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Jayden Jones (voiced by JeCobi Swain
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Piston Porter (voiced by Caleb Paddock
Recurring
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Chief Bill Bayani (voiced by Lou Diamond Phillips) is Bo's father and co-chief of the Gearbox Grove Fire Department. He is a Roman Catholic Filipino man.
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Chief Faye Fireson (voiced by Yvette Nicole Brown) is Flash's mother and co-chief of the Gearbox Grove Fire Department.
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Beth Bayani (voiced by Melissa Rauch) is Bo's mother who is a therapist. She is a Jewish woman.
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Floyd Fireson (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) is Flash's father who is a carchitect.
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Val Vega-Vaughn (voiced by Natalie Morales) is Violet's paramedic adoptive mother.
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Arnie Ambrose (voiced by Stephen Guarino) is Axl's ambulance father.
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Viv Vega-Vaughn (voiced by Allison Case) is Violet's mechanic adoptive mother.
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AJ Ambrose (voiced by Ian James Corlett) is Axl's semi-hauler father.
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Jenna Jones (voiced by LaChanze) is Jayden's mother and Deputy Chief of the Bureau of Community Support for the Motopolis Police Department.
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Pete Porter (voiced by Sean Kenin) is Piston's father and Jenna's M.P.D. partner.
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Jamal Jones (voiced by Brandon Victor Dixon) is Jayden's father who is a traffic police for the Motopolis Police Department.
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Pam Porter (voiced by Hope Levy) is Piston's mother and Jamal's M.P.D. partner.
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Jazzy Jones (voiced by Lauren 'Lolo' Spencer) is Jayden's younger sister with spina bifida.
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Piper Porter (voiced by Sammi Haney) is Piston's sister and Jazzy's electric wheelchair vroom-mate.
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June Ramirez (voiced by Tessa Espinola) is a news reporter and a friend of the Firebuds.
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Vance (voiced by Max Mitchell) is June's vroom-mate and news camera operator.
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Harry Haphazard (voiced by Cameron Crovetti from season one and two until the episode "Hike & Seek" and Matthew Lamb onwards) is a friend of the Firebuds and Violet's biggest fan.
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Carly (voiced by Abigail Zoe Lewis) is Harry's vroom-mate and Axl's biggest fan.
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Iggy Irons (voiced by Benjamin Valic) is the Firebuds' rebellious neighbor. His full name is Ignatius.
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Rod Royce (voiced by Henry Kaufman) is Iggy's rebellious vroom-mate. His full name is Rodrick.
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Chef Al (voiced by José Andrés) is the chef and co-owner of the Overdrive Cafe.
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Chef Fernando (voiced by Oscar Nunez) is Chef Al's food truck vroom-mate and co-owner of the Overdrive Cafe.
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Zip (voiced by Nylan Parthipan), Pow (voiced by Grayson Boulom), and Bang, (voiced by Gavin McCrillis) are three small rambunctious cars and brothers.
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Marina Ramirez (voiced by Aimee Carrero) is June's mother and news reporter.
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Vanessa (voiced by Ally Dixon) is Vance's mother and Marina's vroom-mate and news camera operator.
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Halo (voiced by Jack Stanton) is a helicopter who's in a lot of clubs.
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Cory (voiced by Kayden Alexander Koshelev) is Halo's vroom-mate. Cory is non-binary.
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Bubba (voiced by Nathan Arenas) is a jet-powered dirigible. He used to be a member of the Riley Gang until they abandoned him. Now he's an ally of the Firebuds.
Villains
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The Riley Gang are a gang of young thieves and the Firebuds' arch-enemies.
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Wayne Riley (voiced by Atticus Shaffer) is the leader of the Riley Gang. He invents tools for his crimes and has heterochromia (green eye on the right and blue eye on the left).
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Grant (voiced by Cleo Berry) is Wayne's vroom-mate in crime.
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Wiley Riley (voiced by Luna Bella Zamora) is Wayne's sister and partner in crime.
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Gauge (voiced by Kensington Tallman) is Wiley's vroom-mate in crime. She gets annoyed when people do not credit her for a crime she and Wiley commit.
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The Wild Wheels are the sidekicks of Wiley Riley.
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Claire and Harley are disguised motorcyclists.
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Cruiser and Heat (voiced by Alyssa Cheatham & Jack Fisher) are Claire and Harley's vroom-mates in crime.
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Louie Lam (voiced by Sean Kenin) is a robber who isn't that smart.
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Throttle (voiced by Nat Faxon) is Louis' vroom-mate in crime who's favorite thing to steal is toys.
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Scarlett (voiced by Bailee Bonic) is a girl who uses distractions to commit crimes.
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Skid (voiced by Sabrina Glow) is Scarlett's vroom-mate who has the power to travel on land, sea, and air.
Episodes
Series overview
Season 1 (2022–23)
Season 2 (2023–25)
Release
Firebuds premiered on Disney Jr. on September 21, 2022.
Reception
Critical response
Alex Reif of Laughing Place asserted, " Firebuds teaches kids that the colorful vehicles with lights and sounds that enchant them on the roads have an important job to do. They can do their part by following the rules and playing safe. And when someone needs help, offer a hand if you're able. While the show isn't the first to tackle this same theme, it sets itself apart by including kids as both relatable humans and fun vehicles, and it is more reflective of the world we live in today to inspire the next generation of forward thinkers."
Accolades
Firebuds received nominations for Outstanding Children's Programming at the 34th, 35th and the 36th GLAAD Media Awards.
In other media
Books
In June 2023, Disney Publishing Worldwide released a picture book inspired by the television series titled Firebuds: Meet the Firebuds.
Live show
In 2023, the characters from Firebuds appeared in the touring live-action arena show Disney Junior Live On Tour: Costume Palooza.
Notes
External links
