#da mula

[junkyard-gifs]

Oh nooooo I just found something terrible.

Okay, so, this is Grumbuskin. He's a boy kitten - not a swing, but full cast - unique to the China 2012 production. Like Shiki Gilbert, he hangs around being a kitten most of the time, but also is the lead Siamese and has his extended martial arts sequence when fighting Growltiger.

Look at the baby having a snooze in Skimbleshanks' lap!

But though he might fight fictional pirates in an AU... the Macavity fight is big and scary and real!

He's on the right side there with his side and back to us, lifting one paw, trying to creep forward - trying to be brave enough to help Munkustrap?

(Alonzo is the cat on the far left, and the other kitten you can just see a slice of behind Grumbuskin is Carbucketty.)

But he couldn't do it - and oh no, now Munkustrap is down! That's Grumbuskin there, clinging to the downed Munkustrap, lifting his head to snarl at the exalting Macavity. Look at his hands - his claws are out! He's doing his best!

Even dadcat Skimbleshanks (on the left) is doing his best but looks like he can't get up. Poor Grumbuskin wants to be brave...!

Li Hongxiao as Grumbuskin, Da Mula as Skimbleshanks, Zhang Hao as Macavity, Cong Zijun as Alonzo, and Xia Zhenkai as Munkustrap.

[junkyard-gifs]

Please admire baby protector Tumblebrutus in this clip of the fight from China 2012.

We start with Macavity hypnotising Alonzo (left) and Skimbleshanks (right). When Alonzo goes down, Pouncival starts pawing at him anxiously, to get him up or make sure he's alright.

0:07 seconds: Coricopat and Tumblebrutus attack from either side and get yeeted.

0:11 - Tumble tries again.

Then we have some Demeter and Munkustrap, with Alonzo entering view on the tyre around 0:37. When he snatches Demeter from the other two, Bombalurina runs behind the boys and covers his retreat, even getting in a slash at Macavity - good for her! Behind them at 0:45 we can just see where Skimble's retreated to - he's on all fours, upstage between the car and ladder.

Then Macavity and Munkustrap do their thing, with Alonzo dashing around, trying to join in. At 1:09 when Macavity tosses Munkustrap, the camera pans right and we see Jenny and Skimble on all fours, and Bomba and Tumble standing up. Munkustrap lands practically on Tumble's feet, and Tumble immediately goes down to shield him with his body: look at this baby protector stance!

But no need: Macavity turns to fight Alonzo now, while Skimble frets in the top right corner of the frame. Then once Munkustrap gets back up, it's all over, and Macavity's... not there.

Unless there are any covers on: Ding Ran is Tumblebrutus, Zhang Hao is Macavity, Cong Zijun is Alonzo, Xia Zhenkai is Munkustrap, Ai Yuhan is Bombalurina, Ding Zhenying is Demeter, and Da Mula is Skimbleshanks.

[junkyard-gifs]

Everyone's having a great time building the train!!!

Cons to being a swing character: don't get to build a train. :(

Pros to being a swing character: get to cuddle Deuteronomy! (Ignore Jenny, she's part of the train project.)

... unless you're a male swing character. :(

Somebody give George a hug.

China 2012: Da Mula as Skimbleshanks, Ding Wei as Deuteronomy, Zhao Zixuan as Electra, Yu Man as Etcetera, Naibao Tuxia as George, Ding Ting presumably wearing Olivia's ear, and Chen Yumeng as Jemima (not to be confused with principal Sillabub, who's holding the piston with Victoria).