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Rocket & Groot

Rocket & Groot is a 2017 American animated television mini-series produced by Marvel Animation, consisting of twelve short episodes that follow the adventures of the Marvel Comics characters Rocket Raccoon and Groot as bounty hunters prior to joining the Guardians of the Galaxy. The series depicts the duo as bounty hunters whose ship breaks down, forcing them to undertake various odd jobs and bounties across the galaxy to earn three million credits for a replacement vessel, encountering humorous mishaps and villains along the way. Aired on Disney XD from March 13 to April 10, 2017, each episode runs approximately 1 to 2 minutes, totaling around 25 minutes of content, and was directed by Arnaud Delord with animation provided by Passion Animation Studios, with animation by Blue Spirit Studio and compositing by Production. The voice cast features as the wisecracking and as the tree-like , who communicates primarily through variations of "." Executive producers included Cort Lane, Dan Buckley, and from . The series' design is inspired by the work of comic book artist . The series emphasizes the comedic dynamic between Rocket's ingenuity and sarcasm and Groot's gentle loyalty, set in a vibrant, fast-paced sci-fi universe inspired by the Cinematic Universe's portrayal of the characters. Episodes such as "Dream Machine," "A Piece of Cake," and "That New Ship Smell" highlight their escapades, from ship shopping to races, without featuring other Guardians members. Rated TV-Y7-FV for fantasy violence, it targets young audiences while appealing to fans of the through its high-energy animation and humor. The mini-series received a 6.5/10 rating on from 10,665 users (as of November 2025), praised for its brevity and character fidelity.

Overview

Premise

_Rocket & Groot is an animated miniseries that follows the titular duo as they navigate the galaxy as bounty hunters in the time before joining the , embarking on a series of quick-witted escapades to earn enough credits to purchase a new after their current one breaks down. The central storyline revolves around their relentless efforts to collect bounties amid constant comedic obstacles, such as malfunctioning gadgets, quirky alien encounters, and high-stakes chases, all while highlighting their unbreakable partnership forged through shared mischief and mutual reliance. This lighthearted narrative arc emphasizes self-contained adventures rather than an overarching plot, allowing each short to deliver standalone humor and action without relying on serialized continuity. Set across diverse cosmic locales including derelict space stations, bustling alien markets, and remote junkyards, the series portrays a vibrant, perilous universe inspired by the characters' established comic and Marvel Cinematic Universe origins, but operates as a fully independent tale focused on their pre-team dynamic. Thematically, it explores buddy comedy tropes through Rocket's sarcastic ingenuity and Groot's earnest simplicity, delving into themes of friendship, loyalty, and the absurdities of interstellar heists and escapes, often poking fun at classic sci-fi conventions like interstellar scams and improbable getaways. These elements underscore the duo's contrasting personalities as the engine for both conflict and resolution in their escapades. Comprising 12 brief episodes, each running approximately 2 minutes, the format prioritizes punchy, fast-paced storytelling designed for quick viewing, with every installment centering on a single, bite-sized adventure that builds toward their ultimate goal of ship acquisition while celebrating their improvisational teamwork. This structure ensures a focus on episodic fun over deep lore, making the series accessible as a series of humorous vignettes that capture the essence of Rocket and Groot's roguish camaraderie.

Characters

Rocket Raccoon and form the central duo in the , portrayed as bounty hunters navigating galactic misadventures to fund a new spaceship after their old one fails. serves as the de facto leader, characterized by his sarcastic demeanor, love for gadgets, and tactical ingenuity, often devising elaborate inventions to outsmart obstacles. In contrast, is the loyal, physically imposing tree-like alien from the Flora colossus species originating on Planet X, who communicates exclusively through variations of the phrase "" while providing brute strength and regenerative capabilities to complement 's schemes. Their dynamic underscores the series' buddy-comedy foundation, with Rocket's quick-witted, sometimes self-serving cleverness balanced by Groot's innocent loyalty and unwavering support, fostering moments of heartfelt camaraderie amid chaotic encounters. This portrayal emphasizes their deepening as the core driver of their partnership, highlighting how Rocket's resourcefulness relies on Groot's steadfast presence to overcome challenges. Supporting characters include various alien foes and antagonists, such as opportunistic bounty targets and interstellar threats, alongside brief appearances by one-off allies or peculiar creatures encountered in specific episodes, adding variety to their bounty-hunting exploits without overshadowing the duo. The series adapts these figures from source material—, created by and in Marvel Preview #7 (1976), and , created by , , and in #13 (1960)—exaggerating their personalities for animated humor and accessibility.

Production

Development

The development of Rocket & Groot began as part of 's expansion into short-form animated content for , following the success of the 2014 live-action film , which boosted the characters' popularity among younger audiences. approached for ideas suited to brief, digestible formats, prompting to propose a series centered on and , drawing inspiration from Skottie Young's comedic comic book style in Rocket Raccoon and Groot. The project was greenlit by to capitalize on the duo's appeal, with a focus on humor to differentiate it from more action-oriented series. The creative team was assembled with an emphasis on comedy and visual storytelling, led by head writers Chris "Doc" Wyatt and Kevin Burke, who had previously collaborated on animated projects. Wyatt and Burke crafted scripts highlighting Rocket's sarcastic temper and Groot's gentle moral compass, often revolving around the pair's efforts to earn credits for a new ship after theirs breaks down. The series was directed by Arnaud Delord, known for his work on music videos, who infused the shorts with influences from classic animation like and 1940s-1950s cartoons, incorporating elements such as scores (e.g., "" ). This approach evolved the concept from roots into ultra-short episodes—typically 90 to 105 seconds long—designed for quick consumption on TV and digital platforms, bridging the gap between Marvel's and its live-action films while appealing to families. Pre-production included story summits where Wyatt, Burke, and executives refined 12 episode ideas, prioritizing visual gags and minimal dialogue to suit the format. These sessions incorporated feedback from the international animation team. The series was formally announced at in July 2016, where unveiled test footage produced by , showcasing the expressive, cartoony CG style that would define the shorts.

Animation and voice casting

The animated series Rocket & Groot was produced by Passion Animation Studios in collaboration with , with animation handled by Blue Spirit Studio and compositing by Fortiche Production. The series employs a computer-generated (CG) animation style characterized by vibrant, exaggerated designs inspired by the cartoony artwork of comic book artist , featuring bold colors and dynamic action sequences that evoke classic aesthetics. Visual elements highlight Rocket's detailed fur textures and gadgetry in fluid motion, alongside Groot's plant-like transformations, contributing to the fast-paced, humorous tone of the shorts. Voice casting for the series features as , delivering the character's sarcastic and high-energy personality through rapid, witty dialogue. provides the voice for , using deep, varied intonations of "I am Groot" to convey a range of emotions and nuances without additional words. Supporting roles include guest voices such as and for various antagonists and aliens encountered by the duo. Sound design emphasizes comedic effects, including exaggerated explosions and gadget malfunctions, paired with Groot's vocal subtleties to enhance emotional expression and the series' humor.

Release

Broadcast

The Rocket & Groot animated shorts debuted with the first episode "Dream Machine" on the YouTube channel on March 10, 2017. Subsequent episodes were released in batches, with all 12 becoming available on the app by March 27, 2017, leading to the full broadcast of all 12 shorts in a marathon format on the television channel on April 10, 2017, starting at 7:00 a.m. ET/PT and airing multiple times throughout the day and into April 11. The series carried a TV-Y7-FV rating, designed for children aged 6-11 as part of 's programming aimed at young audiences interested in action and adventure. The shorts were formatted as brief interstitial segments, typically 1-2 minutes each, intended to air between regular programs on to provide quick, engaging content. This approach allowed for easy integration into the channel's schedule, emphasizing the duo's comedic misadventures as bounty hunters prior to joining the . Internationally, the series rolled out on Disney channels in and beginning in mid-2017, with episodes appearing on Disney XD UK by May 2017. The airing served as a promotional for the theatrical release of Vol. 2 on May 5, 2017, building anticipation for Rocket and Groot's expanded roles in .

Home media and

Following its initial broadcast, Rocket & Groot expanded to digital platforms for broader accessibility. The series joined the library as part of Marvel's animated content offerings, where all 12 shorts are available on-demand for subscribers as of November 2025. Select episodes, including full compilations, can also be viewed for free on through the official Animation channel. No physical home media releases have been issued. For international audiences, the series features dubbed audio tracks in multiple languages, such as , Danish, , , , , , , and , enhancing accessibility on global streaming services. By 2023, availability extended to regional platforms like in markets including , aligning with Disney's worldwide distribution strategy. As of 2025, no additional seasons have been produced, though the original content continues to stream on Disney+ and related services, benefiting from renewed interest linked to Marvel Cinematic Universe projects like The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special in 2022.

Reception and legacy

Critical response

The animated shorts series Rocket & Groot received generally positive reception from family-oriented critics and audiences, praised for its humor and accessibility as a kid-friendly entry in the Marvel universe, though professional reviews were limited due to its short-form format. Common Sense Media awarded it three out of five stars, highlighting its appeal as "buddy comedy shorts" that delight fans of the Guardians of the Galaxy characters with quick, adventurous escapades. The series' comic timing between the wisecracking Rocket and the endearing Groot was frequently lauded, with Variety noting its success in delivering "pure-comedy play" that contributed to an Emmy nomination for Marvel Animation. Critics appreciated the vibrant, stylish animation produced by , which described as engaging and well-suited to the duo's chaotic misadventures, such as in the short "Black Tie Only" where their antics shine in a high-society setting. echoed this, calling the visuals dynamic and the stories fun for young viewers, emphasizing the shorts' role in expanding the pre-Guardians without requiring deep knowledge. Audience feedback on averaged 6.5 out of 10 from over 660 ratings, often higher than assessments, with users commending the "hilarious " and efficient storytelling that makes it ideal family entertainment. However, some reviews pointed to shortcomings inherent in the two-minute episode length, which criticized for lacking time to develop plots or introduce characters meaningfully, rendering the stories "fragmentary" without prior Guardians context. User critiques on similarly noted that the shorts felt derivative of the live-action films, occasionally relying on clichés and wishing for a longer format to allow more innovation or depth. Despite these limitations, the consensus positioned Rocket & Groot as a lighthearted, faithful tribute to the characters' dynamic, bolstering Marvel's push into accessible animated content for younger demographics.

Accolades and cultural impact

"Rocket & Groot" received a at the in 2017 for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program, marking the first such recognition for , specifically for the episode "Space Walk." The series did not secure any major wins but was noted for its voice performances, including as , which contributed to its comedic appeal in short-form . The series significantly boosted the popularity of and ahead of the theatrical release of Vol. 2 in May 2017, serving as a promotional bridge that highlighted their buddy dynamic through stylized, Looney Tunes-inspired comedy. This timing aligned with a surge in fan merchandise in 2017, including action figures and collectibles like the Q-Fig set from , capitalizing on the characters' rising appeal among younger audiences. Streaming availability on Disney+ following the platform's 2019 launch led to renewed engagement, evidenced by over 800,000 views on the official playlist and sustained plays in kids' media rotations.

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