First impressions are crucial, and Kimberly from Nickelodeon’s “Catscratch” certainly knows how to make one. Introduced in this 2005 cartoon series, Kimberly was designed as an endearing 9-year-old girl next door who befriends the trio of wealthy feline brothers – Mr. Blik, Gordon, and Waffle.
Right off the bat, Kimberly’s animated personality and the paradoxical nature of her friendship with the feline protagonists sets her apart from typical cartoon characters. This unique bond and her youthful vivaciousness shine through, making Kimberly a character worth a closer look.
Who Is Kimberly
The show’s creators, led by Doug TenNapel, have embedded rich layers into Kimberly’s persona. Her character is heart-warming and entertaining, making her a standout amidst the chaos caused by her feline friends.
Her innocence often serves as the balancing element in the story, providing a sweet counterpoint to the cats’ egotistical and often bizarre antics.
Age: 9 (26 in 2023)
Born: 1997
Aliases: Human Kimberly
Sex: Female
Occupation: Elementary school student
Kimberly’s Friendship with the Cats
One of the most compelling aspects of Kimberly’s character is her strange yet endearing friendship with the Catscratch brothers. Despite the obvious species gap, Kimberly views Mr. Blik, Gordon, and Waffle as dear friends, each with their unique quirks and personalities.
Her unconditional acceptance of their weird world underscores her open-mindedness and ability to embrace diversity. This very trait of hers often serves as a poignant commentary on acceptance and love, a lesson that both children and adults can learn from.
Kimberly’s relationship with the cats also sheds light on her nurturing nature. She is often seen caring for them, standing up for them, and even guiding them through their misadventures.
She becomes their moral compass, teaching them about friendship, loyalty, and the importance of standing up for what is right.
Personality
Kimberly, a lively 8-year-old Latin-American girl, exudes warmth and joy, accompanied by an intense fascination with unicorns. Despite being one of the rare humans to maintain a positive connection with the cats, she disregards their occasionally prickly attitudes. Instead, she cherishes her feline companions just as they are, appreciating the gentleness beneath their fluffy exterior.
Kimberly relishes the camaraderie with her three closest human friends, Caitlyn, another Caitlyn, and Charlotte. They frequently visit her home, to the intermittent astonishment of Gordon. Besides her cheerful disposition, Kimberly exhibits a talent for looking after animals.
When she came across the wounded Mr. Blik in her backyard, she graciously took him into her home for treatment. However, her mysterious array of dolls and youthful demeanor ultimately prompted his departure. Kimberly offered the same kindness to Waffle when a massive falling rocketship hit him.
The Empowering Voice of Kimberly
Behind every great cartoon character is a great voice actor, and for Kimberly, that voice was provided by the talented Liliana Mumy. Mumy brought life to Kimberly’s character, skillfully projecting the many facets of her personality – her infectious enthusiasm, innocent charm, unyielding spirit, and undying optimism.
Mumy’s performance contributed significantly to Kimberly’s popularity. She expertly managed to infuse Kimberly’s dialogues with the right emotions, making her relatable to the audience.
From expressing joy during her adventures with the cats to showcasing determination during challenging situations, Mumy’s portrayal helped reveal the nuances of Kimberly’s character.
Through Kimberly, Mumy gave voice to countless young girls watching “Catscratch,” providing them with a relatable and empowering figure. Her commendable voice work added depth to Kimberly’s character, making her an unforgettable part of the “Catscratch” series.
Gordon Quid and Kimberly
Kimberly remains blissfully unaware of Gordon’s massive crush on her. Her playful interactions with him underscore her caring nature, despite his occasional dishonesty or audacious attempts to impress and delight her.
An instance of this unfolds in the “Unicorn Club” episode. Kimberly’s anger flares up when Gordon lies about seeing a real unicorn, but she still expresses gratitude for his heroic rescue from Randall, punctuating it with a kiss on his head.
She always treats Gordon with affection and warmth as if he was one of her own. When her friends derided Gordon for his small tail, Kimberly didn’t hesitate to defend him, further showcasing her deep-seated care for him.
The Sweet Innocence of Kimberly
Kimberly’s innocence is a fundamental part of her character. With her innocent and trusting nature, she often becomes the calming presence amidst the Catscratch brothers’ craziness.
She serves as a moral counterpoint to the brothers’ scheming and self-serving behavior, often encouraging them to do the right thing and think about others. Kimberly’s consistent innocence and purity adds a refreshing touch to the animated series.
This innocence is not limited to her demeanor and actions; it can also be seen in how she views the world around her. Kimberly lives in a world where she believes in the good in everyone, including her mischievous feline friends.
Her unshakeable faith in her friends and her optimistic outlook on life offer a refreshing perspective that is not commonly seen in many animated characters.
Human Kimberly saves Gordon and Mr. Blik
Facts
- Kimberly holds the distinction of being the only main character who doesn’t appear in the episode “To The Moon.”
- Among the primary characters, Kimberly is the sole female and the only human (apart from Hovis).
- While Kimberly’s parents remain unseen throughout the series, mentions of a gardening mother do crop up.
- In certain episodes, you can spot blue stripes adorning the bottom of her pants.
- In the episode “Love Cats”, Mr. Blik presents her with a Chrimadon, later revealed to be a donkey. Regardless, Kimberly decides to keep the donkey.
- Candy-coated gummy unicorns rank as her favorite dessert.