Piki and Poko: Adventures in StarLand...

Some time ago, I was wandering around the dial and came across an episode of Piki and Poko: Adventures in StarLand. It's a silly, but, utterly adorable show. According to a flyer that's been circulating for some time...

Piki and Poko: Adventures in StarLand is a flash-based animation produced by Mondo Media circa 2000. The heroines of this anime-inspired series, Piki and Poko, are two cute teens from Tokyo who battle the forces of chaos. Next to this girl power epic, with its saturated colors, exaggerated 3-D perspectives, and ass-kicking action, many other web animation productions looks crude, stilted and flat.

Piki and Poko, an epic fantasy with no overt allusions to popular culture, is a new direction for Mondo. The sophisticated viewer, however, will recognize many coded references. One villain-the Homemaker-could be Martha Stewart's alien twin, cooking up vats of drugged fudge, expertly folding killer origami animals.

Piki and Poko is simultaneously cute and a send-up of cuteness. Candy canes murder and maim. Marshmallow bunnies are as addictive and dangerous as crack cocaine. A kernel of corn is a warrior; cosmic power's found in a skirt. There's a rich fluidity of good and evil, malice and sweetness, that's disarming.

01: Perfect Match
Piki and Poko meet for the first time, solidifying their star power and dedicating their intentions for one another. But beware the candy cane vortex!

02: Here in Starland
The girls end up in Starland where Piki tries to save Poko from the bad candy. Will she defeat the Evil Homemaker's white fudge squares and marshmallow bunnies?

03: Destiny
Piki is the Savior of the Universe? She meets up with Fertilidad and learns more about Starland and her destiny to save them all!

04: Oh Totemo
Poko finds a friend in a strange space squid and tells of her unfavorable upbringing. As luck would have it, her strange bunny power frees her from the candy and she is off to reunite with Piki!

05: Phase Two
The Evil Homemaker reveals her dastardly plan for Piki and Poko. But first, she must destroy the Astrological DJs that help to keep Starland safe!

06: Ten Miles High
The best friends argue but must come back together to save the universe! Will the Star Sisters unite in time to save themselves first?

07: Death to Shaper
Get your celestial groove on with DJ Kwanza and party for your right to fight! The DJ gives the girls their first quest to save an Astrological DJ in trouble.

08: Less Than Kind
Piki and Poko make their way on the long road to the Temple. They reveal their dark sides to one another and test boundaries of the heart.

09: Personal Magnetism
Fertilidad has escaped and meets up with the Star Sisters once more. Will Poko's illness be the end of her?

10: Have a Problem
Poko's addiction to marshmallow bunnies fills her with the most powerful force in the universe, but can she handle the intensity?

11: Courage is Born
Piki and Poko must stop whining and defend the underdog! The battle calls for their courage and candy-stopping powers!

12: Cornu the Mighty
Who is this mysterious Corn Kernel and is he friend or foe? All is revealed in his generous gifts!

13: Our Child
Shaper and Homemaker toast their combined powers of total control and infinite wisdom! Now it's time they join their forces more intimately.

14: No Shopping
What's more important? Saving Starland or contributing to the economy by shopping at the Temple Gift Shop? Piki finds out, much to Poko's dismay.

15: An Anchor Shining
The power of a Mother's Love shines much too brightly and sparkling Power Discs are finally found amidst the rubble!

16: DJs on Ice
It's soul stealing on ice with the Evil Homemaker. Will Starland shrivel and die with no more celestial grooves?

17: Finer Feelings
The defeat of Shaper and Homemaker is the only way the girls will get home to their beloved Tokyo. But does Poko want to leave her special powers behind?

18: The New Fall Line
The lonely Gender Bender machine promotes the new fall line to prisoner Fertilidad. But will that help to escape Shaper?

19: In the Yes
Singing snow globes honor Piki and Poko with song and groovy beats. Dancing celebrates life, but they must remain steadfast to their mission!

20: Tweet Tweet
Shaper falls for Fertilidad's tricks and meets his horrible fate. Or does he?

21: Trial By Slime
The girls follow their unique rhythm to find and rescue the Celestial DJs. Piki must submit to the Sky Snails and learn the ugly truth about herself.

22: Lady Tears
The battle looms near and the Star Sisters must prepare! Will Piki's doom destroy Starland after all or will joy win out?

23: Ding Dong
Two girls become one to save StarLand! Shaper may be dead, but the candy cane warriors are plotting massive revenge!

24: You Are The Land
Evil Homemaker summons the troops for battle. Will she plan a victory party or will the Star Sisters win out in the end?

25: Leeches
Can DJ Taurus keep the girls safe while Poko recovers from her bunny addiction? Time is quickly running out!

26: Gift Basket
Poko falls for an evil trick and consumes massive amounts of bunny force. Her mistake could end up being the death of them all!

27: Heartsicle
Is Poko the doom-bringer after all? Has Piki survived? The temple is destroyed and true friendship may be over for good.

28: Dead Wrong
Poko's grief consumes her as she says good-bye to her one true friend.

29: Fishy Fishy END?
Head trauma gives way to serious delusions. Piki and Poko must be reunited. But how? When? What happens next?

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Unfinished Episode Titles

30: A Merry Chase
31: Welcome Ducky
32: The Unlucky
33: Anthropormorphizing
34: Under Her Wing
35: Faith in You
36: Heavy with Ice

Piki and Poko: Adventures in StarLand have had occasional broadcasts on late night cable TV, but, the series has never been released on DVD. I found most of the episodes on YouTube and took the time to download and archive them. It appears that the production stopped abruptly at 29 episodes, leaving a handful of episodes unfinished.