Following the success of the Masters of the Universe franchise, the public felt that He-Man was for boys. So, Filmation and Mattel came together to develop a new animated series and toy line that they would simultaneously produce. Unlike the He-Man animated series that debuted after the toy line, they produced this media together without basing either on the other. Both Filmation and Mattel created She-Ra: Princess of Power, the animated television series as well as the toy lines came out in 1984.
She-Ra: Princess of Power portrays the struggle between the forces of good, She-Ra and the Great Rebellion, and their evil counterpart, Catra and the Evil Horde, on the planet Etheria, a sister planet to He-Man’s Eternia. Although Filmation’s She-Ra: Princess of Power features more characters and a grander storyline, they left an avenue for the characters from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe to make appearances.
Mattel’s She-Ra: Princess of Power Toys
Mattel created the She-Ra: Princess of Power toy in 1984. They targeted this toy line primarily at a young female audience in other to diversify the male-dominated Masters of the Universe toy line. The action figures were more of a doll than action figures as they included real hair and real clothing materials. Like their male counterparts, mini-comic books also accompanied the figures in the packaging.
All the characters that featured in the Princess of Power toy line played an integral role in Filmation’s animated television series, making the cartoon somewhat of an advertising medium for the toy line. It is also possible that the Princess of Power toy line was a vague effort to integrate two of Mattel’s most successful toy lines into one line of action figures: The Barbie doll line and The Masters of the Universe action lines.
10. Bow (1984)
Mattel released the Bow action figure in 1984 as part of the first wave of its She-Ra: Princess of Power toy line. They dubbed this action figure as the “Special friend who helps She-Ra”. Bow is the only recognizable male action figure produced in this line of toys. The action figure features a heartbeat action that a press of the button on his back triggers. This heartbeat depicts Bow has a love interest in She-Ra. Bow action figure comes with a removable cape, a removable headband, a bow, and up to 6 arrows, along with a comic book.
Bow was the best archer in the whole of Etheria. So, he uses his skill to defend Etheria and fight against the Evil Horde as a member of the Great Rebellion.
9. Crystal Swift Wind (1986)
Mattel released the Crystal Swift Wind action figure in 1986 as part of the second wave of the She-Ra: Princess of Power toys. They dubbed this figure as the “Magnificent Crystal Unicorn Flies She-Ra to adventure”. The Crystal Swift Wind figure comes with removable wings, a removable unicorn mask with reins, a comb, a saddle, and a brush.
Crystal Swift Wind is the alter ego of Princess Adora’s companion horse, Spirit, which transforms just as Princess Adora becomes She-Ra. Swift Wind carries She-Ra to battle and her many other adventures.
8. Kowl (1984)
Mattel released the Kowl action figure as part of the initial wave of She-Ra: Princess of Power toys in 1984. They also dubbed this figure “The Know-it Owl”. The Kowl action figure comes with an exciting activity where you ask a question and check for the under the covering of the figure’s belle. Then, colors represent the answers, with red meaning “no”, yellow meaning “maybe”, and green meaning “yes”.
Kowl is a creature that is the last of its kind and capable of talking. His abnormally large ears that also serve as wings distinguish Kowl. The physical appearance of Kowl is somewhat of a fusion of a Koala and an Owl, hence its name, Kowl.
7. Glimmer (1984)
Mattel released the Glimmer action figure in 1984 as part of their first wave of the She-Ra Princess of Power toys. They then labeled this figure as “The Guide Who Lights the Way”. The Glimmer action figure comes with a removable skirt, a collar, a headdress, a staff, a comb, and a comic book. Mattel made both the headdress and the staff with luminous materials that glow in the dark.
Glimmer is an invaluable member of the Great Rebellion, and the Princess of the Bright Moon. Glimmer can wield light and emit light pulse, she can also brighten up large areas with radiant light.
6. Frosta (1984)
Mattel released the Frosta action figure in 1984 as part of the very first wave of their She-Ra: Princess of Power toys. They also dubbed this toy as ” Ice Empress of Etheria”. The Frosta action figure comes with a removable skirt, a removable cape, a wand, a comb, and a comic book.
A very powerful ice and snow sorcerer, the Frosta character is a formidable member of the Great Rebellion. So, she uses her powers to freeze the members of the Evil Horde at will. Frosta also has been the royal leader of her people.
5. Flutterina (1986)
Mattel released the Flutterina action figure in 1986 as part of the second wave of their She-Ra: Princess of Power toys. They dubbed this action figure “the beautiful lookout; flies with fluttering wings”. The Flutterina action figure comes with a removable wings backpack, a removable skirt, a shield, a comb, and a comic book.
Flutterina is a one-woman recon unit, she uses her ability which enables her to completely change her physical form to that of a butterfly. In her butterfly form, Flutterina secretly follows Catra about, spying on everything she does then comes back to report all she has witnessed to She-Ra.
4. Entrapta (1986)
Mattel released the Entrapta action figure in 1986 as part of the second wave of their She-Ra Princess of Power toy line. They also dubbed this figure as ” Tricky Golden Beauty”. Also, she dons a full golden attire, with very long, pink-colored hair. The figure comes with a removable headband, a collar, a removable skirt, a shield, a comb, and a comic book.
The Entrapta character is a member of the Evil Horde and a close associate of Catra. Her incredibly long hair which she uses to entangle her victims characterizes Entrapta.
3. Castaspella (1984)
Mattel released the Castaspella action figure in 1984 along with the very first wave of toys for their She-Ra: Princess of Power line. They dubbed this action figure as “Enchantress who hypnotizes”. The Castaspella action figure possesses a wheel or a disc that attaches to the back of this figure. Then, this disc or wheel activates a spellcasting action by the toy when it spins. The action figure comes with a removable skirt, a comb, a collar, a disc attached to its back, and a comic book.
Castaspella is a fierce member of the Great Rebellion who is prominent for her spell casting and her powerful use of magic.
2. Catra (1984)
Mattel released the Catra action figure in 1984 as a significant part of the first series of She-Ra Princess of Power toys. They then dubbed her as the ” Jealous Beauty”. The Catra action figure comes packed with a removable skirt that has a furry tail, a cat mask, a comb, a shield, and a comic book.
In Filmation’s animated television series, Catra is just another member of the Evil Horde and Force Captain of Hordak, Filmation’s main antagonist. However, in the comic books, Catra is She-Ra’s main antagonist. As such, she leads the Evil Horde and is endless plotting means to defeat She-Ra and her group of Great Rebellion.
1. Starburst She-Ra (1986)
Mattel released the Starburst She-Ra action figure in 1986 as part of the second wave of She-Ra: Princess of Power toys. They dubbed this figure as “The most powerful woman in the Universe”. The Starburst She-Ra action figure comes with a pink shield, a pink sword, a pink comb, a clear face tiara, a winged crown-like headdress, and a comic book. The action figure dons a cape with a starburst pattern that reveals itself when the figure’s hands raise up.
She-Ra is the main protagonist of the Princess of Power media. She is also the alter ego of Princess Adora, the long-lost twin sister of Prince Adam, He-Man. She-Ra resides on planet Etheria where she serves as the protector of the planet and leader of the band of heroes, the Great Rebellion. Princess Adora becomes She-Ra by holding up her power sword and reciting an incantation, just like her brother. So, she keeps her dual identity secret to protect her loved ones.
Conclusion
The Princess of Power toy line is a successful toy line, producing three series of action figures. The toy lines even outlasted the Filmation animated series.
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About the author
Author: Chris Ingledue
Contact: email
Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their own versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!