View source for Monica and Friends

{{short description|Comic series from Brazil}}
{{Infobox comic book title
<!--Wikipedia:WikiProject Comics-->
| image= Monica's gang EN.JPG
| caption = Cover of the first issue of ''Monica's Gang'' in English by Panini
| schedule = Monthly
| genre = [[Children]]<br />[[Comedy]]<br />[[Parody]]<br />[[adventure fiction|Adventure]]<br />[[Fantasy]]<br />[[Science-fiction]]
| publisher = {{Plainlist|
* [[Editora Abril|Abril]] <small>(1970–86)</small>
* [[Editora Globo|Globo]] <small>(1987–2006)</small>
* [[Panini Comics]] <small>(2007–present)</small>}}
| date = 1959–present <small>(as comic strip)</small><br />1970–present <small>(as comic book)</small>
| format = {{flat list|
[[Comic strip]]<br />[[Comic book]]}}
| startmo = <!-- optional in lieu of date-->
| startyr = 1959
| endmo = <!-- optional in lieu of date-->
| endyr = 
| main_char_team = {{flat list|
''Monica'' (Mônica)<br />''Jimmy Five'' (Cebolinha)<br />''Smudge'' (Cascão)<br />''Maggy'' (Magali)}}
*''Franklin'' (Franjinha)
*''Blu'' (Bidu)
| creators = [[Mauricio de Sousa]]
| altcat  = Brazilian comics titles
| sort = Monica's Gang
| charsort = <!-- If "character" is set -->
}}
'''''Monica and Friends''''' ([[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]: ''Turma da Mônica''), previously published as '''''Monica's Gang''''' in Anglophone territories and as '''''Frizz and Friends''''' in London,<ref>{{cite web|title = Monica's Gang To Become Monica And Friends In The USA|url = http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/01/27/monicas-gang-to-become-monica-and-friends-in-the-usa/|website = Bleeding Cool Comic Book, Movie, TV News|date = 28 January 2014|access-date = 2015-12-26|archive-date = 2016-03-04|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304051710/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2014/01/27/monicas-gang-to-become-monica-and-friends-in-the-usa/|url-status = live}}</ref> is a Brazilian [[comic book]] series and [[media franchise]] created by [[Mauricio de Sousa]].

The series originated in a comic strip first published by the newspaper Folha da Manhã in 1959, in which the [[protagonists]] were [[Blu (comic strip character)|Blu]] (''Bidu'') and [[List of Monica's Gang characters#Minor characters|Franklin]] (''Franjinha''),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.universohq.com/quadrinhos/2009/n11092009_05.cfm|title=Álbum especial comemora os 50 anos do Bidu|first=Marcus|last=Ramone|date=2009-09-11|publisher=Universo HQ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913002201/http://www.universohq.com/quadrinhos/2009/n11092009_05.cfm|archive-date=2009-09-13}}</ref> however, in the following years the series was shaped towards its current identity with the introduction of new characters such as [[Monica (Monica's Gang)|Monica]] (''Mônica'') and [[Jimmy Five]] (''Cebolinha'') who became the new protagonists.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|access-date=2021-01-12 |date=2020-06-25 |language=pt-BR |publisher=[[R7 (website)|R7]] |title=Turma da Mônica - Origem, Maurício de Sousa e personagens |url=https://segredosdomundo.r7.com/turma-da-monica-origem/ |website=Segredos do Mundo}}<!-- auto-translated from Portuguese by Module:CS1 translator --></ref> The stories revolve around a group of children who live in a fictional neighborhood in [[São Paulo]] known as Lemon Tree District (''Bairro do Limoeiro'') which has a street with the same name called Lemon Tree Street (''Rua do Limoeiro'') where Monica and her several friends live, inspired by the neighborhood of Cambuí in [[Campinas]] and the city of [[Mogi das Cruzes]], where Mauricio spent his childhood.<ref>[http://hq.cosmo.com.br/TEXTOS/HQCOISA/h0082_pelezinho.shtm MundoHQ - Pelezinho vai para a Copa!!!] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404004254/http://hq.cosmo.com.br/TEXTOS/HQCOISA/h0082_pelezinho.shtm |date=2008-04-04 }}</ref>

Although the title of the franchise mainly refers to the core group of children who live on Lemon Tree Street, it's also used as an umbrella title who encompasses other works created by Mauricio throughout his career such as ''[[Chuck Billy 'n' Folks]]'', ''[[Tina's Pals]]'', ''[[Lionel's Kingdom]]'', ''[[Bug-a-Booo]]'', ''[[The Cavern Clan]]'', ''[[The Funnies (Monica and Friends)|Bubbly the Astronaut]]'', ''[[Horacio's World]]'', ''[[The Tribe (Monica and Friends)|The Tribe]]'', and others, since stories from these series are frequently published in comics focused in characters such as Monica, Jimmy Five, [[Smudge (Monica and Friends)|Smudge]], [[Maggy (Monica and Friends)|Maggy]] and [[Chuck Billy (Chuck Billy 'n' Folks)|Chuck Billy]]. Since 1970, in the form of comic books, the characters have been published by publishers such as [[Editora Abril|Abril]] (1970-1986), [[Editora Globo|Globo]] (1987-2006) and [[Panini Comics]] (2007-present), totaling almost 2,000 issues already published for each character.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=7 June 2016 |archive-date=5 January 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105122412/http://www.universohq.com/quadrinhos/2009/review_Monica1.cfm |date=2009 |first=Marcus |last=Ramone |publisher=[[Universo HQ]] |title=Resenha Mônica #1 |url=http://www.universohq.com/quadrinhos/2009/review_Monica1.cfm}}<!-- auto-translated from Portuguese by Module:CS1 translator --></ref><ref>{{cite web|archive-date=5 January 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105035904/http://www.universohq.com/quadrinhos/2007/n08012007_08.cfm |author=Marcus Ramone |date=8 January 2007 |publisher=[[Universo HQ]] |title=Turma da Mônica chega às bancas pela Panini Comics |url=http://www.universohq.com/quadrinhos/2007/n08012007_08.cfm}}<!-- auto-translated from Portuguese by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>

The English title of the series was later changed to ''Monica and Friends''. The characters and comics were subsequently adapted into, among other media, an [[Monica's Gang (TV series)|animated television series]] as well as films, most of which are [[anthology film|anthologies]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Quem vai mandar nessa turma? |website=Istoé Dinheiro |url=http://www.istoedinheiro.com.br/noticias/negocios/20140411/quem-vai-mandar-nessa-turma/145387.shtml |access-date=July 10, 2014 |language=pt |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714131251/http://www.istoedinheiro.com.br/noticias/negocios/20140411/quem-vai-mandar-nessa-turma/145387.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2008, a spin-off series, ''[[Monica Teen]]'', was created in a [[manga]] style and features the characters as teenagers.

''Monica'' is considered the most well-known comic book character in Brazil. In 2015 alone, the characters were used on three million products for over 150 companies.<ref>Sousa, Monica Spada nee. ''Freedom the Size of an Elephant''.</ref> Nowadays the comics are sold in 40 countries in 14 languages.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.infoanimation.com.br/2014/01/turma-da-monica-no-mercado-internacional.html | title=Turma da Mônica no mercado internacional | access-date=2014-02-14 | archive-date=2014-02-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222164218/http://www.infoanimation.com.br/2014/01/turma-da-monica-no-mercado-internacional.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

== Publication history ==
Maurício de Sousa, then-reporter for [[Folha da Manhã]], in 1959, decided to enter the field of comics hitherto disputed in the country.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://turmadamonica.com.br/|title=MSP - Mauricio de Sousa Produções|website=MSP - Mauricio de Sousa Produções|access-date=2021-11-06|archive-date=2013-07-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729042043/http://msp@turmadamonica.com.br/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the same year made his first characters [[Blu (comic strip character)|Blu]] and [[List of Monica's Gang characters#Minor characters|Franklin]], and decided that Blu would be the protagonist.<ref name="auto" /> Both were based on his own childhood, Franklin based on Maurício himself and Blu on his pet dog Cuíca.<ref name="auto" /> The main inspirations of ''Monica and Friends'' were through American comics like ''[[Peanuts]]'' and ''[[Little Lulu]]'', which have inspired some recurring themes like the boys' club. In the following year of 1960, the characters gained ground through the children's magazine ''Zaz Traz'' by publisher Editora Outubro, later getting their own comic titled ''Bidu'' by Editora Continental. However, the magazines were canceled that same year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.planetagibi.net/2009/07/todos-os-gibis-da-turma-pre-historia.html |title=Todos os gibis da turma: pré-história |access-date=2014-03-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927065940/http://www.planetagibi.net/2009/07/todos-os-gibis-da-turma-pre-historia.html |archive-date=2015-09-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After that the characters returned to newspaper strips, the character [[Jimmy Five]] which had won great popularity in the previous magazines has become protagonist of their own strips of newspaper next to Blu and Franklin in 1961. Seeing potential in the character, Mauricio went on to create several supporting characters to appear in the Jimmy Five strips, like [[Smudge (Monica's Gang)|Smudge]] and Specs. But after so long Maurício received a complaint for the lack of feminine characters in his comics.<ref name="auto"/> So to avoid further controversy, in 1963 Monica was created, initially as a supporting character in the Jimmy Five strips (at first as the Specs' little sister) based on Mauricio's real daughter Mônica Sousa.<ref name="auto"/> Over time, the success and the charisma of the character made her be the protagonist of the series alongside Jimmy Five which became her [[sidekick]]. Also in 1963, Mauricio began to create new projects of comic strips with other characters without links with Monica and Jimmy Five, like ''Zezinho and Hiroshi'' (now called [[Chuck Billy 'n' Folks]]), ''[[The Cavern Clan]]'', ''[[Bug-a-Booo]]'', ''[[The Tribe (Monica's Gang)|The Tribe]]'' and ''Raposão'' (now called [[Lionel's Kingdom]]).

[[File:Monica's gang cover issue 1.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Cover of the first edition of Monica and Friends launched in 1970.]]
The characters only returned to be published in a monthly comic book from 1970, by publisher [[Editora Abril|Abril]], initially under the title of "Mônica e Sua Turma" (Monica and Her Gang), later being changed to "Mônica" and "Turma da Mônica" (Monica's Gang), the latter title used only for [[merchandising]]. With so many of the characters ever created by Mauricio in strips of newspaper also began to appear in the comics of Monica's Gang. At that time the area of comics was more competitive in Brazil, many Brazilian artists were trying to hold his own in the stalls along the publications of American comics like [[Donald Duck]], [[José Carioca]], [[Little Lulu]], and many others. Even with these new comics, Monica's Gang remained with their good sales on newsstands and with this soon came to the [[Jimmy Five]]'s solo comic book three years later. Sales were great and with that a contract with the footballer [[Pelé]] was made for the launch of a character based on him, the ''[[:pt:Turma do Pelezinho|Pelezinho]]'', which was a phenomenon among children at the time, marking time in the history of Brazilian comics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.universohq.com/quadrinhos/2007/Pelezinho.cfm|title=Pelezinho: a história de um craque dos gibis|work=Universo HQ|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428114110/http://www.universohq.com/quadrinhos/2007/Pelezinho.cfm|archive-date=2007-04-28}}</ref> Pelezinho was one of the few black characters made by Maurício, and his design wasn't the most flattering to the black community, with a pale colored circle around the character's mouth to represent his lips, a concept made infamous by the [[black face]] depiction of African people. In late 2013, however, Pelezinho's design was updated to reflect more modern sensibilities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-12-12 |title=MSP muda o visual do Pelezinho |url=https://universohq.com/noticias/msp-muda-o-visual-pelezinho/ |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=UNIVERSO HQ |language=pt-br |archive-date=2022-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714160218/https://universohq.com/noticias/msp-muda-o-visual-pelezinho/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The staff of cartoonists has grown, leading to the foundation of the [[Maurício de Sousa|Estúdios Maurício de Sousa]], that produce comics with the characters created by Mauricio de Sousa, and other marketing projects and [[cartoon]]s of the characters. The first attempts to make a [[Monica's Gang (TV series)|Monica and Friends cartoon]] occurred in the late 60s during a deal with [[:pt:Companhia Industrial de Conservas Alimentícias|Cica]] food company that produced some commercials for television,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.propagandashistoricas.com.br/2013/04/pure-de-tomate-cica-turma-da-monica.html|title=Purê de Tomate Cica (Turma da Mônica) - Anos 70|date=April 2013|publisher=Propagandas Históricas|access-date=2014-09-01|archive-date=2014-05-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527215133/http://www.propagandashistoricas.com.br/2013/04/pure-de-tomate-cica-turma-da-monica.html|url-status=live}}</ref> these being commercial who originated the character Thunder, who is currently a main character of the [[Lionel's Kingdom]] stories. The first film was only released in 1982, [[:pt:As Aventuras da Turma da Mônica|''As Aventuras da Turma da Mônica'']] which was produced in partnership with ''Black & White & Color'' and distributed by [[Embrafilme]].

Over the years, other characters gained their own comic books, like [[Smudge (Monica and Friends)|Smudge]] (1982), [[Chuck Billy 'n' Folks|Chuck Billy]] (1982) and [[Maggy (Monica's Gang)|Maggy]] (1989). Other media have strengthened over the years and Monica-branded merchandise were launched, with products like books, toys, discs, CD-ROM and video games. A Monica-themed amusement park was created in 1993 in São Paulo, titled "Parque da Mônica" (Monica Park).<ref name="guiaf">{{cite web|url=http://guia.folha.com.br/crianca/ult10047u694131.shtml|title=Parque da Mônica, sucesso dos anos 90, encerra atividades|date=2010-02-16|work=Guia da Folha Online|access-date=2010-02-16|archive-date=2010-02-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100219020758/http://guia.folha.com.br/crianca/ult10047u694131.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2008 the franchise received a manga-style comic entitled [[Monica Teen]].<ref name="esp">{{cite web|url=http://www.estadao.com.br/arteelazer/not_art214656,0.htm|title=Personagens da Turma da Mônica 'crescem' e viram mangá|publisher=[[O Estado de S. Paulo]]|date=2008-07-30|access-date=2014-02-14|archive-date=2009-03-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309030340/http://www.estadao.com.br/arteelazer/not_art214656,0.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Characters ==
{{Main|List of Monica's Gang characters}}
[[File:Monica characters.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Some of the main characters of Monica.]]
The ''Monica and Friends'' series has an extensive amount of main and secondary characters. It has as main protagonists [[Monica (Monica's Gang)|Monica]], [[Jimmy Five]], [[Smudge (Monica's Gang)|Smudge]] and [[Maggy (Monica's Gang)|Maggy]] and each has its own comic book. Currently the character Milena was recently added as the fifth main character of the group. Other characters from other series created by [[Mauricio de Sousa]] are also included on Monica and Friends, making crossovers or quotations from each other in several stories, among several other characters. The main setting of the stories is the fictional Lemon Tree Street (''Rua do Limoeiro'').

Most stories focus on the daily lives of the main characters and occasionally on the secondary characters; the humour usually uses various types of repetitions, allusions, appeals to the nonsense, paranomasias, sarcasm and metalanguage. The stories with Monica and Jimmy Five revolve around the conflict between the two. Jimmy Five is a troublemaker and bully who always tries to scold Monica or steal her stuffed bunny to give knots in its ears (usually having Smudge or another boy accomplice), always having Monica get her revenge by hitting him with her stuffed bunny, often leaving him bruised and with black eyes. Often Jimmy Five makes plans against her with various traps, sometimes using Franklin's inventions or talking Smudge into helping, but he always loses to Monica at the end.

Smudge's stories often focus on his penchant for dirt and mess and his fear of water, having never bathed in his life, and constantly being threatened by villains or his friends to take a shower, with him always succeeding in not getting wet and staying dirty. The stories with Maggy generally focus on her gluttony, with a superhuman ability to eat more than a normal person without ever getting fat and sometimes stealing food from her friends.

Among the villains are Captain Fray, a supervillain with the power to control garbage and dirt, and Lord Raider, a space rabbit whose first appearance was in the movies. A joke often breaks the [[fourth wall]].

=== Related works ===
Other related works which relate to the series are:
* '''[[Blu (Monica's Gang)|Thunder]]''' - Based on the first character of Monica and Friends, it shows the character Blu, a sentient blue dog of the [[Schnauzer]] breed, as acting as a mere actor in a studio of comics.
* '''[[Chuck Billy 'n' Folks]]''' - Focuses on the comic daily life of Chuck Billy, a lazy farmer boy and his friends who live on a farm in Brazil's countryside. He's the one that most often appears in contact with Monica and Friends. The character have his own spin-off comic book series. As Monica and Friends, he received a spin-off manga-style comic in 2013 called ''Chico Bento Moço'' (Chuck Billy Young Man).<ref>[http://entretenimento.uol.com.br/noticias/redacao/2013/08/02/chico-bento-ganha-revista-com-versao-adolescente.htm/ Chico Bento ganha revista com versão adolescente] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020153339/http://entretenimento.uol.com.br/noticias/redacao/2013/08/02/chico-bento-ganha-revista-com-versao-adolescente.htm/ |date=2014-10-20 }} Access date: 18/12/2013</ref>
* '''[[Bug-a-Booo]]''' - Focuses on comedy stories involving monsters of horror films ([[ghost]]s, [[vampire]]s, [[werewolf]]s, [[Frankenstein's monster|Frankenstein]] and even the [[Personifications of death|death]]) in a cemetery.
* '''[[Tina's Pals]]''' - Shows a daily routine of a group of college students and their daily lives as they date, go to college, among other issues. In 2014, it received its own spin-off comic book series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://garotasgeeks.omelete.uol.com.br/2014/05/23/tina-da-turma-da-monica-ganhou-revista-e-esta-super-legal/ |title=Tina, da Turma da Mônica, ganhou revista e está super legal! : Garotas Geeks |access-date=2014-07-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707215109/http://garotasgeeks.omelete.uol.com.br/2014/05/23/tina-da-turma-da-monica-ganhou-revista-e-esta-super-legal/ |archive-date=2014-07-07 }} Access date: 23/05/2014</ref>
* '''[[The Funnies (Monica's Gang)|The Funnies]]''' - Focuses on the comic adventures of Bubbly, an astronaut, as he explores space.
* '''[[Lionel's Kingdom]]''' - Focuses on the daily lives of a group of anthropomorphic animals of different species in a forest led by a lion king.
* '''[[The Cavern Clan]]''' - Focuses on Pitheco, a caveman inventor who is living in the midst of pre-history and tries to revolutionize humanity with his inventions.
* '''[[Horacio's World]]''' - Focuses on the life of a young philosopher, the dinosaur Horacio, and his friends.
* '''[[The Tribe (Monica's Gang)|The Tribe]]''' - Focuses on an Amazonian native, Tom-Tom, who lives in a tropical forest constantly threatened by white men.

== Media ==

=== Publications ===
{{further|List of Monica's Gang printed media}}
Monica and Friends and its related works are released in a number of different books. Firstly, they were published by [[Editora Abril]], from 1970 to 1986, then [[Editora Globo]], from 1987 to 2006. From 2007 on, [[Panini Comics]] was chosen to keep the publications. So far there are comic books starring many characters, among the best known and sold are the characters of Monica, Jimmy Five, Smudge, Maggy and Chuck Billy, plus almanacs with republication of classic stories with varying characters. In 2015 was released an app for smartphones gathering more than 500 editions of comics franchise for download.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tecmundo.com.br/apps/76534-aplicativo-caixa-quadrinhos-traz-turma-monica-smartphone.htm|title=Aplicativo Caixa de Quadrinhos traz a Turma da Mônica para o seu smartphone|language=pt|date=2015-03-13|publisher=TecMundo|access-date=2015-03-30|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924113905/http://www.tecmundo.com.br/apps/76534-aplicativo-caixa-quadrinhos-traz-turma-monica-smartphone.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Television and film adaptations ===

{{Main|Monica and Friends (TV series)}}
The characters of Monica and Friends are also the protagonists of which can be considered the first Brazilian animation series. After being introduced on television as advertising-boys in TV advertisements from the mid-1960s, complete stories began to be produced in 1976 and distributed through [[Compilation (film)|film-compilations]] during the 1980s and 1990s (initially released in movies in cinema in the 1980s and then directly to video in the 1990s).

In 1999, a series of shorts with the characters was produced to the children's programming of [[TV Globo|Rede Globo]] (which would display these episodes only between the years 2010 and 2014). A regular broadcast of the series on TV only occurred in 2004 after negotiations with the [[Cartoon Network (Latin America)|Cartoon Network]] that since this year began broadcasting new episodes exclusively on the channel, still remaining on the schedule together of sister channels [[Tooncast]] (currently transmitted in ''Cartoon Cartoons'' block) and [[Boomerang (Latin American TV channel)|Boomerang]].

In addition to the animations, the characters also starred in two animated feature films who presents bigger stories instead of short compilations; these are: "''[[The Princess and the Robot]]''" (1984) and "''[[Monica's Gang in an Adventure in Time]]''" (2007) - as well as two TV and video specials in live-action: "''[[Mônica e Cebolinha: No Mundo de Romeu e Julieta]]''" (1979) and "''A Rádio do Chico Bento''" (1989).

==== Compilations ====
* ''[[The Adventures of Monica and Friends|As Aventuras da Turma da Mônica]]'' (1982)
* ''[[The New Adventures of Monica and Friends|As Novas Aventuras da Turma da Mônica]]'' (1986)
* ''Mônica e a Sereia do Rio'' (1987)
* ''O Bicho-Papão'' (1987)
* ''A Estrelinha Mágica'' (1988, direct-to-video)
* ''Chico Bento, Óia a Onça!'' (1990, direct-to-video)
* ''O Natal de Todos Nós'' (1992, direct-to-video)
* ''Quadro a Quadro'' (1996, direct-to-video)
* ''Videogibi: O Mônico'' (1997, direct-to-video)
* ''Videogibi: O Plano Sangrento'' (1998, direct-to-video)
* Videogibi: O Estranho Soro do Dr. X (1998, direct-to-video)
* Videogibi: A Ilha Misteriosa (1999, direct-to-video)
* ''Coleção Grandes Aventuras da Turma da Mônica'' (2002, recovery direct-to-video including new episodes)
* ''[[Cine Gibi: O Filme]]'' (2004)
* ''Cine Gibi 2'' (2005, direct-to-video)
* ''Cine Gibi 3: Planos Infalíveis'' (2008, direct-to-video)
* ''Cine Gibi 4: Meninos e Meninas'' (2009, direct-to-video)
* ''Cine Gibi 5: Luzes, Câmera, Ação!'' (2010, direct-to-video)
* ''Se Liga na Turma da Mônica - Volume 1'' (2011, direct-to-video)
* ''Se Liga na Turma da Mônica - Volume 2'' (2012, direct-to-video)
* ''Cine Gibi 6 - Hora do Banho'' (2013, direct-to-video)
* ''Cine Gibi 7 - Bagunça Animal'' (2014, direct-to-video)
* ''Cine Gibi 8 - Tá Brincando?'' (2015, direct-to-video)
* ''Cine Gibi 9 - Vamos Fazer de Conta!'' (2016, direct-to-video)

==== Monica Toy ====
Series launched to promote "Monica Toy" line launched by Tok & Stok, which features an ultra-stylized version of the characters of Monica in traits that refer to Toy Arts and famous franchises like [[Hello Kitty]], [[Pucca]] and [[Gogo's Crazy Bones]]. There are currently 9 seasons, with mini-episodes each with about 30 seconds long, with 2D animation and exclusive language for web delivery.

From the episode "Hiccups" (released on July 17, 2013), the series was renamed and had its shortened to just "Monica Toy" title. On October 7, 2013, the series premiered on [[Cartoon Network (Latin America)|Cartoon Network]] in the interprograma format, debuting two episodes a week and airing at various times.

==== Turma da Mônica: Laços ====
In 2019, in cooperation with [[Paris Filmes]], [[Globo Filmes]] and [[Paramount Pictures]], Mauricio de Sousa Produções released in Brazilian cinemas the movie ''Turma da Mônica: Laços'', on June 27, being directed by [[Daniel Rezende]]. The movie was based on the best-selling eponymous graphic novel, written and drawn by siblings Victor Cafaggi and Lu Cafaggi. This was the first Monica and Friends live-action movie in which the main characters are played by real-life children, since the previous live-action movies were presented in the form of theater performances using adults in articulated mascots costumes.

The plot of the movie revolves around the relationship of the friends. When Jimmy Five's dog, Fluffy, is abruptly abducted, the children must unite and eventually overcome their differences while facing new adventures on the way so they can bring their loyal friend back home.

The movie presents Giulia Benite as Monica, Kevin Vechiatto as Jimmy Five, Laura Rauseo as Maggy and Gabriel Moreira as Smudge. It has been overly praised by Brazilian critics, who praises the balance between cartoonish situations with human conflicts. The movie represented one of the highest Brazilian box office of 2019.

==== Turma da Mônica: Lições ====
In 2021, ''Turma da Mônica: Lições'' was released in Brazilian cinemas on December 30. It is the sequel to ''Turma da Mônica: Laços'', and based on the graphic novel of the same name written and drawn by siblings Victor Cafaggi and Lu Cafaggi. The film features Monica, Jimmy Five, Maggy and Smudge forget to do their homework and run away from school (6th or 7th year of elementary school). But not everything goes as expected, and Mônica is transferred to another school, triggering the group's separation. The decision was made by the parents of the four friends, who think that they are spending too much time together and that this could harm them in their responsibilities. From this rupture, they are forced to find new friends and face their own fears and insecurities. The group will then have to face the consequences of their decisions, mature and discover the real value and meaning of the word friendship.<ref> https://www.adorocinema.com/filmes/filme-276532/</ref>

==== Turma da Mônica – A Série ====
[[Mauricio de Sousa Produções|MSP]] formed a partnership with [[Globoplay]] ([[TV Globo|Globo]]'s streaming service) produced the live-action series inspired by ''Monica and Friends'' characters and being the sequel to the films ''[[Monica and Friends: Bonds|Turma da Mônica: Laços]]'' and ''Turma da Mônica: Lições'', titled ''Turma da Mônica – A Série'', which premiered on July 21, 2022, which contains 8 episodes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.omelete.com.br/turma-da-monica/turma-da-monica-serie-live-action-ganha-data-de-estreia-no-globoplay|title=Turma da Mônica Série live-action ganha data de estreia no Globoplay|website=Omelete|language=pt-br|date=July 9, 2022|access-date=December 2, 2023}}</ref>

On November 27, 2023, it was renewed for a second season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.omelete.com.br/amp/series-tv/turma-da-monica-a-serie-nova-temporada|title=Turma da Mônica: A Série terá nova temporada com elenco renovado|website=Omelete|language=pt-br|date=November 27, 2023|access-date=December 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://oglobo.globo.com/google/amp/play/series/noticia/2023/11/27/serie-turma-da-monica-tera-nova-temporada-no-globoplay.ghtml|title=Série 'Turma da Mônica' terá nova temporada no Globoplay|website=O Globo|language=pt-br|date=November 27, 2023|access-date=December 2, 2023}}</ref>

==== Vamos Brincar com a Turma da Mônica ====

{{Main|Vamos Brincar com a Turma da Mônica}}

In 2017, the ''Vamos Brincar com a Turma da Mônica'' series was announced during the [[Comic Con Experience]] in [[São Paulo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://entretenimento.uol.com.br/noticias/redacao/2017/12/10/mauricio-de-sousa-mostra-visual-da-turma-da-monica-no-cinema-e-se-emociona.amp.htm|title=Mauricio de Sousa revela visual da Turma da Mônica no cinema e se emociona|website=UOL|language=pt-br|date=December 10, 2017|access-date=December 2, 2023}}</ref> In 2019, MSP announced that the series would launch on [[Gloob]] and [[Gloobinho]] channels in 2020,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://telaviva.com.br/26/06/2019/vamos-brincar-e-a-nova-serie-da-mauricio-de-sousa-producoes-para-o-gloob/?amp|title="Vamos Brincar" é a nova série da Mauricio de Sousa Produções para o Gloob|work=Tela Viva|language=PT-BR|date=June 26, 2019|access-date=December 2, 2023}}</ref> the first episodes of the production were made available on the now-defunct Giga Gloob app on October 12, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://revistacrescer.globo.com/entretenimento/filmes-e-tv/noticia/2022/10/serie-vamos-brincar-com-a-turma-da-monica-estreia-no-giga-gloob-no-dia-das-criancas.ghtml|title=Série 'Vamos Brincar com a Turma da Mônica' estreia no Giga Gloob no Dia das Crianças|work=Revista Crescer|language=PT-BR|date=October 10, 2022|access-date=December 2, 2023}}</ref> 

On July 11, 2023, after Giga Gloob was discontinued by [[TV Globo|Globo]], the first 10 episodes were transferred and made available on [[Globoplay]] streaming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infoanimation.com.br/2023/07/animacao-pre-escolar-da-turma-da-monica.html?m=1|title=
Animação pré-escolar da Turma da Mônica estreia no Globoplay|date=July 13, 2023|work=Info Animation|language=PT-BR|access-date=December 2, 2023}}</ref> The second part, with 16 episodes, was released on the platform on October 12, the same day the series debuted on the Gloobinho channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CyMazBWpdjr/?igshid=ZWI2YzEzYmMxYg==|title=Você piscou e eu trouxe os lançamentos da semana!|author=[[Globoplay]]|work=Instagram|language=pt-br|date=October 9, 2023|access-date=December 2, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infoanimation.com.br/2023/10/globoplay-e-gloobinho-estreiam-novos.html?m=1|title=Globoplay e Gloobinho estreiam novos episódios da série pré-escolar da Turma da Mônica|language=PT-BR|work=Info Animation|date=October 12, 2023|access-date=December 2, 2023}}</ref>

==== Franjinha & Milena: Em Busca da Ciência ====

{{Main|Franjinha & Milena: Em Busca da Ciência}}

A [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] of the franchise presented by [[List of Monica and Friends characters#Franklin|Franklin]] and [[List of Monica and Friends characters#Milena|Milena]], accompanied by the dog [[Blu (Monica and Friends)|Blu]]. The series began filming on July 6, 2022 until it concluded in September.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.omelete.com.br/amp/turma-da-monica/franjinha-milena-turma-da-monica-serie-hbo-max|title=Franjinha e Milena ganharão série para a HBO Max|website=Omelete|language=pt-br|date=2022-07-06|access-date=2024-04-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.estadao.com.br/amp/emais/tv/serie-franjinha-e-milena-em-busca-da-ciencia-tem-gravacoes-finalizadas/|title=Série ‘Franjinha e Milena em Busca da Ciência’ tem gravações finalizadas|website=Estadão|date=2022-09-07|access-date=2024-04-28}}</ref> On February 15, 2024, [[Max (streaming service)|Max]] (formerly HBO Max) announced that the series would debut on February 27 for its platform and also on the [[Discovery Kids (Latin American TV channel)|Discovery Kids]] channel.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Amendola|first=Beatriz|url=https://www.omelete.com.br/series-tv/franjinha-e-milena-em-busca-da-ciencia-ganha-trailer-fofo-e-data-confira|title=Franjinha e Milena em Busca da Ciência ganha trailer fofo e data; confira|date=2024-02-15|access-date=2024-04-28|website=Omelete|language=pt-br}}</ref>

===Video games===
[[File:Wondermonica.png|thumb|250px|'''Top:''' ''Turma da Mônica na Terra dos Monstros''<br>'''Bottom:''' ''Wonder Boy in Monster World'', on which the former game is based]]
In the 1990s, [[Westone Bit Entertainment|Westone]] developed three ''Monica and Friends''—based titles for [[Tectoy]] for the [[Master System]] and [[Mega Drive]], modified from installments in Westone's ''[[Wonder Boy]]'' series.

{| class="wikitable" | width: 800
|-
!Console
!Original game
!Original release
!Modified game
!Release
|-
|[[Master System]]
|''[[Wonder Boy in Monster Land]]''
|1987
|''Mônica no Castelo do Dragão''
|1991
|-
|[[Master System]]
|''[[Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap]]''
|1989
|''Turma da Mônica em O Resgate''
|1993
|-
|[[Mega Drive]]
|''[[Wonder Boy in Monster World]]''
|1991
|''Turma da Mônica na Terra dos Monstros''
|1994
|-
|}

In the 1990s, MSP released three CD-ROMs with short stories complemented by minigames: ''Mônica Dentuça'' (1995), ''Cebolinha e Floquinho'' (1996) and ''A Roça do Chico Bento'' (1998). Two CDs for creating comic books with both Monica and Chuck Billy were also released.

In September 2010, Tec Toy announced that they would produce an exclusive game for videogame console [[Zeebo]] ''Turma da Mônica - Vamos Brincar Nº1'', but the game was canceled months later. The idea was to create a series of eight puzzle games, but due to the end of the island{{clarify|date=August 2023}} the project was canceled.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jogos.uol.com.br/ultnot/multi/2010/12/16/ult530u8868.jhtm|title=Primeiro jogo da Turma da Mônica para Zeebo é coletânea de 6 minigames|language=pt|date=2010-12-16|publisher=[[Universo Online|UOL]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120709224630/http://jogos.uol.com.br/ultnot/multi/2010/12/16/ult530u8868.jhtm|archive-date=2012-07-09|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2012, "Quero Ser da Turma da Mônica", a game where the user can create a digital avatar in the style of the characters, was released for [[iOS]]. In 2013 a game was released for [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] called "Coelhadas da Mônica" (Bunny-Bashing Monica), a puzzle game like [[Angry Birds]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.techtudo.com.br/tudo-sobre/s/coelhadas-da-monica.html | title=Coelhadas da Mônica &#124; Jogos &#124; Download | access-date=2014-03-17 | archive-date=2014-03-18 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318022345/http://www.techtudo.com.br/tudo-sobre/s/coelhadas-da-monica.html | url-status=live }}</ref> And in 2014, the game "Jogo do Cascão" (The Smudge Game) was released as a 2D platform running game with multiple stages.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.techtudo.com.br/tudo-sobre/s/jogo-do-cascao.html | title=Jogo do Cascão &#124; Jogos &#124; Download | access-date=2014-04-11 | archive-date=2014-04-09 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409102056/http://www.techtudo.com.br/tudo-sobre/s/jogo-do-cascao.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

== Monica Park ==
An [[amusement park]] themed with Mauricio de Sousa's characters is located at the Eldorado Shopping in São Paulo. It was opened in January 1993, and features a number of attractions, like the "Carrossel do Horácio" (Horacio's merry-go-round, a [[carousel]] featuring dinosaurs instead of horses), the 3-D cinema, and many more. The Parque da Mônica of [[Curitiba]] and of [[Rio de Janeiro]] were also created, in 1998 and 2001, respectively, but both were closed, in 2000 and 2005, respectively. Until the end of 2006, it had its own comic book, featuring adventures of Monica and her friends at the park. When Panini Comics started to publish Mauricio's works, this comic was replaced by ''Turma da Mônica'' (Monica and Friends).

The park was removed from Eldorado Shopping Center on early 2010, when the space occupied by it was asked back by the shopping administrators.<ref name="guia da folha">{{cite web|url=http://guia.folha.com.br/crianca/ult10047u675820.shtml|title=Parque da Mônica fecha as portas em 16 de fevereiro|last=Seragusa|first=Fabiana|date=7 January 2010|publisher=[[Folha de S. Paulo|Guia da Folha]]|language=pt|access-date=28 March 2010|archive-date=14 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314110745/http://guia.folha.com.br/crianca/ult10047u675820.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Mauricio de Sousa had already announced that the mall had requested the area back in July 2009.<ref name="guia da folha"/> The administration of the Shopping said that the mall was seeking more up-to-date alternatives, which fall under consumers' expectations.<ref name="guia da folha"/>

In March 2015, it was announced that the park would be reopened at Shopping SP Market.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://g1.globo.com/sao-paulo/noticia/2015/03/parque-da-monica-sera-reaberto-em-shopping-da-zona-sul-de-sp.html|title=Parque da Mônica será reaberto em shopping da Zona Sul de SP|date=2015-03-06|publisher=G1|language=pt|access-date=2015-03-07|archive-date=2021-05-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505141825/http://g1.globo.com/sao-paulo/noticia/2015/03/parque-da-monica-sera-reaberto-em-shopping-da-zona-sul-de-sp.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Merchandising ==
In the late 60s a line of dolls with characters Monica, Jimmy Five, [[Lionel's Kingdom#Characters|Thunder]], [[Horacio's World|Horacio]] and [[Horacio's World#Characters|Lucinda]] was manufactured by ''Trol Company'', this was the first merchandising of the franchise.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ultimosegundo.ig.com.br/|title=Notícias do Último Segundo: o que acontece no Brasil e no Mundo|website=iG|access-date=2021-11-06|archive-date=2021-11-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106091110/https://ultimosegundo.ig.com.br/|url-status=live}}</ref> The character Thunder became mascot of a [[tomato sauce]] brand of the food company Cica in the late of 60s. An extensive line of toys and other products with the characters began to be manufactured since the 70s by various toy companies and remain heavily sold to the present in Brazilian stores.
During the 80s, the franchise also came to have its own store network. The '''''Lojinha da Mônica''''' and '''''Trenzinho da Mônica''''', had branches in several states of Brazil, selling products related to characters. In 2013, the franchise was restarted in the form of an [[e-commerce]] portal.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://blogs.diariodonordeste.com.br/diarinho/sites-infantis/lojinha-da-monica-e-lancada-na-internet/ |title=Lojinha da Mônica é lançada na Internet - Diário do Nordeste |access-date=2015-08-22 |archive-date=2015-06-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627055510/http://blogs.diariodonordeste.com.br/diarinho/sites-infantis/lojinha-da-monica-e-lancada-na-internet/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 

=== Food products ===
In addition to Cica, Mauricio has formed long-lasting partnerships, providing his characters for a series of food products such as [[alfajor]]es, pasta, cookies, etc. In 1993, a brand of chocolate bars was launched in partnership with [[Nestlé]] with the characters printed in white chocolate on each bar,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.terra.com.br/vida-e-estilo/mulher/compra-mae-veja-100-guloseimas-que-marcaram-sua-infancia,193a9ff3a5be8410VgnVCM20000099cceb0aRCRD.html|title=Compra, mãe! Veja 100 guloseimas que marcaram sua infância|first=Fernanda|last=Frozza}}</ref> although it was discontinued after the 90s the brand became memorable among many who grew up in the decade to the point that many fans asked for the brand to return, the chocolate was announced to have a return at the end of 2017, but this did not happen.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.terra.com.br/vida-e-estilo/degusta/por-que-o-famoso-chocolate-da-turma-da-monica-nunca-mais-voltou-ao-mercado,f6b3e8eaacecb39efca29a6878ce74b5b9m0yxf8.html|title=Por que o famoso chocolate da Turma da Mônica nunca mais voltou ao mercado? |access-date=2024-06-21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://capricho.abril.com.br/comportamento/mas-e-o-chocolate-da-turma-da-monica-vai-voltar-ou-nao|title=Mas e o Chocolate da Turma da Mônica, vai voltar ou não? |access-date=2024-06-21}}</ref>

In 1994 Mauricio formed a partnership with the fruit company Fischer to sell small selected apples to children with their characters printed on the packaging. The brand became popular to the point of selling 900 thousand tons of packages every month, according to Mauricio his idea came when he visited a farm that produced smaller apples that were used to produce paste, fertilizer or animal food, however, Mauricio decided to target these apples to children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.terra.com.br/vida-e-estilo/degusta/como-a-maca-da-turma-da-monica-foi-de-racao-de-animais-a-hit-de-vendas,6a342f14972fd19e75d5b3439df99e136rh2owmp.html |title=Como a maçã da Turma da Mônica foi de ração de animais a hit de vendas |access-date=2024-06-21}}</ref>

== International distribution ==
Monica and Friends and related works have been published in 40 countries in 14 languages, including Spanish, Greek and Japanese.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.paho.org/english/dd/pin/Number19_article04.htm|title=Toon in Monica|publisher=Perspectives in Health - Volume 9, Number 1, 2004|access-date=2012-01-03|archive-date=2011-12-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111231054404/http://www.paho.org/english/dd/pin/Number19_article04.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In Germany, comics were published between 1975 and 1980 under the name ''Fratz und Freunde'' and years later as ''Monica und Ihre Freunde''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.na-alemanha-tem.com/2015/01/31/na-alemanha-tem-a-turma-da-m%C3%B4nica/|title=Na Alemanha tem a Turma da Mônica?|date=January 31, 2015|website=Na Alemanha tem?|access-date=November 6, 2021|archive-date=November 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107173321/https://www.na-alemanha-tem.com/2015/01/31/na-alemanha-tem-a-turma-da-m%C3%B4nica/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the UK, comics have already been published under the name ''Frizz and Friends'' for a short time. In Italy, some comic books and classic episodes of cartoon were distributed on DVDs in the 90s, the cartoon was broadcast on [[Rai Due]] channel under the title ''La Banda di Monica''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cartonionline.com/personaggi/labandadimonica.htm|title=La banda di Monica|website=www.cartonionline.com|access-date=2021-11-06|archive-date=2021-11-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106090403/https://www.cartonionline.com/personaggi/labandadimonica.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In Indonesia, the series is published under the title ''Monika dan kawan kawan'', the comics are published there since 1997, along the comic books of the characters ''Jimmi Lima'' (Jimmy Five) and ''Ciko Bento'' (Chuck Billy N' Folks).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://operamundi.uol.com.br/conteudo/noticias/14358/turma+da+monica+em+arabe+|title=Opera Mundi: Turma da Mônica em árabe: grupo do Bahrein pretende investir em produtos e revistas|website=Opera Mundi|access-date=2016-03-04|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304121838/http://operamundi.uol.com.br/conteudo/noticias/14358/turma+da+monica+em+arabe+|url-status=live}}</ref> In China the comics were distributed to schools in 2007, receiving years later adaptation of the cartoon, in 2011 one of the albums was awarded to children's literature.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.terra.com.br/istoedinheiro-temp/edicoes/605/imprime133557.htm |title=ISTOÉ Dinheiro - Revista Semanal de Negócio, Economia, Finanças e E-Commerce {{!}} Editora Três |website=www.terra.com.br |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125203903/http://www.terra.com.br/istoedinheiro-temp/edicoes/605/imprime133557.htm |archive-date=2013-01-25}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://zh.clicrbs.com.br/rs/entretenimento/noticia/2012/01/turma-da-monica-e-premiada-na-china-3634211.html|title = Turma da Mônica é premiada na China|date = 17 January 2012|access-date = 8 March 2015|archive-date = 2 April 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150402113419/http://zh.clicrbs.com.br/rs/entretenimento/noticia/2012/01/turma-da-monica-e-premiada-na-china-3634211.html|url-status = live}}</ref>

There were plans for distribution in the United States and some Latin American countries, but they never came to fruition (with the exception of the proper cartoon broadcast dubbed into Spanish in some Latin American countries), however translated comics in English and Spanish are sold directly in Brazil. Episodes of the cartoon dubbed in English are available on YouTube.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.centralcomics.com/2011/11/01/turma-da-monica-em-ingles-e-espanhol/ |title=Turma da Mônica em Inglês e Espanhol - Central Comics |website=www.centralcomics.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406023502/http://www.centralcomics.com/2011/11/01/turma-da-monica-em-ingles-e-espanhol/ |archive-date=2017-04-06}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Portal|Brazil|Comics}}

=== Manga adaptation ===
* {{official website|http://turmadamonica.uol.com.br/}} {{in lang|pt}}
* {{Official website|http://www.monicaandfriends.com/}} {{in lang|en}}

{{Monica's Gang}}

[[Category:Monica and Friends| ]]
[[Category:Brazilian comic strips]]
[[Category:Comic book digests]]
[[Category:1959 comics debuts]]
[[Category:Brazilian comics adapted into films]]
[[Category:Comics about parallel universes]]
[[Category:Fiction about size change]]
[[Category:Metafictional comics]]
[[Category:Brazil-exclusive video games]]
[[Category:Humor comics]]
[[Category:Satirical comics]]
[[Category:Gag-a-day comics]]
[[Category:Comics adapted into animated series]]
[[Category:Comics adapted into television series]]
[[Category:Comics adapted into video games]]