Sylvia, a Zbornak, is not only Wander’s steadfast and occasionally brash steed but also his closest confidant. As the secondary protagonist of Disney’s animated series “Wander Over Yonder,” she journeys across the cosmos with Wander.
Sylvia’s indomitable spirit ensures she never shies away from challenges, and her love for combat is undeniable. Yet beneath her rugged exterior lies a tender heart, especially evident in her bond with Wander.
Interestingly, she once shared a partnership with Ryder and even assumed the role of a bounty hunter, attempting to capture Wander at one juncture.
Sylvia – The Zbornak Powerhouse
While Wander is the perpetually optimistic, free spirit, Sylvia is the pragmatic and fiercely protective counterpart. This dynamic showcases the harmony that can exist between seemingly opposite personalities.
Sylvia’s unwavering loyalty to Wander isn’t just about being there during adventures, but it’s also about grounding him when his unbridled enthusiasm threatens to go off course.
They balance each other, illustrating that the best friendships often come from understanding and accepting differences.
Mighty Brawn and a Golden Heart
One cannot discuss Sylvia without mentioning her undeniable strength. As a Zbornak, she possesses formidable physical prowess, which comes in handy during their numerous escapades across the galaxy.
But what makes Sylvia truly remarkable isn’t just her might, but the heart that accompanies it. She often employs her strength to protect and defend, rather than to dominate or oppress.
This juxtaposition between brawn and compassion adds depth to her character, reminding viewers that strength isn’t solely about physical power; it’s also about the choices one makes with that power.
The Voice Behind the Valor
The unparalleled energy and depth brought to Sylvia’s character can be credited in large part to the talented April Winchell. Through her voice acting, Winchell imbues Sylvia with a vibrant range of emotions—from fierce determination to gentle compassion, from hearty laughter to poignant reflection.
Winchell’s portrayal not only breathes life into Sylvia but also captures the essence of her multi-faceted personality.
Personality
Sylvia is a formidable and competitive ally, often masking her gentle nature with a tough exterior. While intelligent, her temper can sometimes get the better of her.
In battles, she swiftly defeats foes with her powerful punches, primarily to safeguard Wander. At times, she acts on impulse, like in “The Time Bomb” when she momentarily acts against Wander, only to later apologize. Her fierce protective instinct kicks in whenever Wander faces peril, as seen in episodes like “The Egg.”
Despite her robust demeanor, Sylvia’s deep bond with Wander is evident, especially when she prioritizes his safety over her own escape in “The Fugitives.”
In a poignant moment of the series, thinking Wander has been killed by Captain Tim, she’s devastated, revealing the profound depth of her attachment to him. When she discovers he’s alive, her relief and joy are palpable.
Background
In “The Waste of Time,” we learn of Sylvia’s past as a bounty hunter. Her first encounter with Wander occurred when she rescued him from Killbot 85. Further delving into her history, “The Time Bomb” discloses Sylvia’s stint as a racer. However, her fiery temperament often stood as an impediment to victory.
Before forming a bond with Wander, Sylvia teamed up with Ryder, a daring, maverick-like figure. While his adventurous spirit appealed to her, she despised the negative influence he had on her character.
Since crossing paths with Wander, Sylvia has been his constant companion. Together, they journey across the cosmos, with Sylvia serving as his steed, protector, and cherished friend.
Wander & Sylvia
Wander and Sylvia, two inseparable pals, have contrasting personalities. Wander offers Sylvia emotional comfort and support, even if his antics sometimes hurt or inconvenience her. In return, Sylvia protects Wander and gives him physical support.
She admires Wander’s kind-heartedness, even if it contradicts her tougher demeanor. Despite appearing thin and naive, she’s mentioned how Wander always finds a unique way to accomplish tasks. Sylvia often gets frustrated with Wander’s attitude towards Lord Hater, believing one shouldn’t befriend a villain, yet she collaborates with him occasionally.
While Wander has overlooked Sylvia in episodes like “The Troll” and “The Tourist,” their bond remains strong, valuing each other’s companionship deeply. Sylvia allows Wander to sleep on her and reserves a special place in her saddle just for him.
Lord Hater and Sylvia
Sylvia strongly dislikes Lord Hater, her chief adversary. While they rarely interact, Sylvia has confronted him on occasions like “The Greatest” and “The Brainstorm.”
Unlike Wander, who enjoys Lord Hater’s company, Sylvia recognizes his malevolence. Despite her courage, she acknowledges Lord Hater’s superior strength, cautioning against confronting him. While Lord Hater is more focused on Wander, Sylvia ranks second on his Most Wanted list.
She reluctantly went on a disguised date with Hater, which included dinner and a carnival visit. She pitied him and gave him a consolation kiss despite turning down his advances. However, before any forced union could occur, Wander stepped in to save her in “The Date.”
Sylvia’s Relationships With Other Characters
Peepers: Commander Peepers is Lord Hater’s loyal lieutenant and often the one implementing Hater’s plans. Sylvia’s interaction with Peepers usually revolves around foiling those plans. Their relationship is adversarial, much like with Lord Hater.
Ryder: An old acquaintance and partner of Sylvia before Wander, Ryder is a free spirit much like Wander but with a more selfish edge. Sylvia’s past with Ryder reveals a lot about her character, where she was drawn to Ryder’s adventurous spirit but grew away from him due to his more selfish tendencies.
The Watchdogs: These are Lord Hater’s minion army. Sylvia often finds herself battling or outsmarting these little guys, who, despite their numbers, usually aren’t much of a match for her individually.
Captain Tim: While initially feared as a dangerous creature, Captain Tim eventually becomes more of a pet to Lord Hater. Sylvia’s interactions with him are limited, but the creature does serve as a source of both tension and comedy in their adventures.
Appearances
- The First Take (Mentioned only)
- The Caller (Voice only)
Season 2
- “The Greater Hater”
- “The Big Day”
- “The Breakfast”
- “The Fremergency Fronfract”
- “The Boy Wander”
- “The Wanders”
- “The Loose Screw”
- “The It” (Cameo)
- “The Cool Guy” (Cameo)
- “The Catastrophe”
- “The Rager”
- “The Battle Royale”
- “The Matchmaker”
- “The Black Cube”
- “The Eye on the Skull Ship” (Mentioned only)
- “The Secret Planet”
- “The Bad Hatter”
- “The Hole…Lotta Nuthin'”
- “The Show Stopper”
- “The Cartoon” (Cameo)
- “The Bot”
- “The Family Reunion”
- “My Fair Hatey”
- “The Legend”
- “The Party Poopers”
- “The Waste of Time”
- “The Hot Shot”
- “The Night Out”
- “The Search for Captain Tim”
- “The Heebie Jeebies”
- “The Sick Day”
- “The Sky Guy”
- “The Robomechabotatron”
- “The Flower”
- “The End of the Galaxy”
Best of Sylvia
Quick Facts
Species: Sylvia is a Zbornak, a blue, reptilian-like creature with characteristics reminiscent of both dragons and horses.
Tough Exterior: Though Sylvia often seems tough and battle-hardened, she has a soft spot for Wander and often finds herself getting dragged into his antics despite her initial reluctance.
Past Life: Before teaming up with Wander, Sylvia led a much different life. She was previously associated with Ryder, and, as revealed in “The Waste of Time,” she was once a bounty hunter.
Racer Background: In the episode “The Time Bomb,” it’s shown that Sylvia had a history as a racer, though her temper often kept her from clinching victories.
Vocal Talent: Sylvia is voiced by April Winchell, who has lent her voice to a variety of other animated characters in various shows and films.
Name Origin: The name “Sylvia” is of Latin origin and means “wood” or “forest.” While there’s no direct correlation to her character, it’s an interesting contrast given her adventurous and often non-woodland-based escapades.
Dynamic with Wander: Despite their contrasting personalities, Sylvia and Wander share one of the most heartwarming relationships in the show. Their bond is central to many episodes and forms the emotional core of the series.
Protective Instinct: Whether it’s against foes like Lord Hater or the various challenges the universe throws at them, Sylvia’s first instinct is to protect Wander, showcasing her fierce loyalty.
Unique Look: Sylvia has a unique design with her blue scales, long tail, and single horn. It differentiates her from typical steed characters in animation, adding to the show’s distinctive style.
Growth Over Episodes: Over the series, Sylvia’s character experiences growth. From being more self-focused and tough, she evolves to show more vulnerability, especially in her interactions with Wander.