The Forest Friends

 is a show by Manta-bee. Originally created in 2007, the writer decided to shed light on it yet again.

Orgins
While the creator was into animated comedy shows and was fascinated with the Sonic the Hedgehog characters, she had thought up an idea that would combine the two, only with the characters resembling those characters. There are similarities between the characters of the show and the characters of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, as well as differences; for example, the male characters are fully clothed.

Thinking of the names for the characters proved not to be very difficult, as she started with names that were almost similar sounding to the ones they were based off of, then thought of more names that sounded different in comparison.

The idea was shelved for a few years, then resurfaced in 2009, when more episodes were written. As of recently, the creator redesigned the characters to look less like the Sonic the Hedgehog characters.

Plot
Adventures of slackers Static and Dale and friends.

Style
Although the characters are parodies, the creator stuck with personality archetypes. The show's humor can also involve pop-culture refferences to breaking the fourth wall. Another quality that The Forest Friends had was its initial use of “retroscripting”, a process in which an episode’s scripts are purposely left vague, and instead of exact dialogue, the plot of a particular scene is merely outlined—the rest of the dialogue is then created through improv by the actors. Although retroscripting was only used officially in the first season, the dialogue in the following three seasons remained heavily improvised, with the written script serving mainly as a guide or something to fall back on for jokes if needed.

Characters
Main
 * Static the Porcupine - James "Static" Porcupine is 15 years old. He is shown to be a slacker, but at times can successfully help out when needed. Static is nicknamed for how he gets static cling in his quills from doing his own laundry to prove he could do so on his own. He may appear laid back and even lazy at times. In the show, he will make pop-culture refferences as well as fourth-wall breaks (as will the rest of the cast). But if times get tough, he will step into action. Can use the element of ice. His laziness can hinder him at times. His known relationship is with Sparky, who usually reminds him not to slack off his duties. He also appears in the video game Right Stuf Bowling.


 * Dale Coyote - He is Static's best friend and, like Static, may be seen as a slacker at times too, but will be willing to help at given moments. He's never told anybody about this, but the last he remembers was waking up in the desert trapped in a giant cactus dome with a hundred snakes inside surrounding him, and he fought all of them off and saved himself. He is very intelligent, if not high-strung (as shown in "Pop Quizzed"). Other times he will be seen as laid back when hanging with his friends. Can use the element of wind and can make power waves with the wind he controls. He can get distracted easily.


 * Nichols P. "Nicky" Badger - Abandoned by his parents when he was born, Hunter Vively found him and put mutant DNA inside him. He went to the mountains to train when he got older. Fearless and violent, but not to his friends. A bit funny too. Can extend claws and can shoot them and can also turn into his mutant form and also with the abilities such as iron head,detect and head smash. Does like fighting,but does not like bugs. It is once shown in an episode, that he wears the cliche heart-print boxers. In "Something Ahoy!", it shows that he suffers from seasickness. The episode was also the first basis for a pairing between him and Lucy Rabbit, as Lucy tries to help him feel better.


 * Sparky the Porcupine - Sparky is usually cheerful, but can be stern. She likes Static the Porcupine, even though his slacking off can get her frustrated sometimes.


 * Betty Bat - Betty can be a bit of a downer, but she has shown she would not be completely ruthless. Seems to be interested in Nicky Badger, but dosen't show it on the surface. Other times, it is hinted she is interested in Gloom.
 * Gloom the Porcupine - He is Static's cousin. Timid, dark and usually tries to make things go his own way. Even sometimes he can be friendly though. Can shoot energy, power quills and can cause eclipse in the sky.


 * Lucy Rabbit - The gang met her when she was looking for her lost pet. Lucy is usually a nice person. She is also quite sensitive. A shipping with her and Dale has been in question.

Secondary
 * Alex Runbanks - Age 12-13. He is a quiet shy boy. Unlike Chris, he is portrayed as a secondary character.
 * Clammy Bee - Age 9. He is hyper and clumsy.
 * Pixo the Crocodile
 * Stag the Chameleon - Usually calm and collected. It is once mentioned in an episode that he is lactose intolerant.
 * Lightning the Ferret - Age 14. He seems eager and means well, but can wear on one's nerves at times. Can control lightning when storms are near. He seems to be interested in Flair the Cat, and he worries about her in secret for the first few episodes he is featured in.
 * Flair the Cat - Age 14. She seemed standoffish in her first apperance. In one episode, it is shown she dosen't like cherry soda, which Dale offered to have her give it to him, and drank it after he had finished his soda, which led to him having to use the bathroom really badly later on.

Antagonists
 * Hunter Vivley - A human antagonist in the series. He has only been seen in silhouette.

Cast
Additional [pending]
 * Scott Menville as Static
 * Greg Ayers as Dale
 * Johnny Yong Bosch as Nicky
 * Rachel Lillis as Sparky
 * Stacey DePass as Betty
 * Terry McGurrin as Gloom
 * Sarah Gadon as Ashley
 * Elizabeth McGlynn as Flair
 * Vic Mignonga as Lightning and Pixo
 * Joanne Vannicola as Clammy Bee
 * Steven Jay Blum as Stagg
 * Phil Parsons as Hunter Vivley

Revival
It is said the show would be revived for new episodes, but be drawn in a different style that would be a departure from the Sonic the Hedgehog style. This has been confirmed, along with the supporting characters from Eva and Cece's Chop Suey being added to the cast as soon as the latter series ends.