Jem

Using a holographic computer she inherited from her father, Jerrica Benton turns herself and her pals into pop-music group Jem and the Holograms.

Jem (1985-1988) is a United States syndicated animated family series created by Christy Marx and produced by Sunbow Productions and Hasbro. Jerrica Benton, voiced by Samantha Newark, uses a holographic computer inherited from her father to transform herself and her friends into the pop group Jem and the Holograms. Her sister Kimber, voiced by Cathianne Blore, Aja Leith, and bandmates Shana Elmsford and Rio Pacheco, voiced by Cindy McGee and Michael Sheehan, help her keep up the double life while the rival band the Misfits, led by Pizzazz, voiced by Patricia Alice Albrecht, and Stormer, voiced by Susan Blu, schemes against them. Each short episode builds around a music video style performance, a rivalry, and a business or personal problem, all wrapped in bright neon colors and synth pop energy. The result is a cheerful, glossy 1980s cartoon that feels like an MTV era fantasy for kids. Its tone stays upbeat and playful while the drama around fame, friendship, and identity gives it some heart. Fans of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Josie and the Pussycats, and The Transformers will find a similar blend of toy-driven adventure and musical escapism. Across three seasons and seventy-five episodes, it remains a nostalgic favorite for both children and adults.

Viewers remember it fondly as a colorful, music-driven cartoon that felt like MTV for kids, with audience ratings reading as positive.

• He-Man and the Masters of the Universeanimated saturday morning toy-based adventure with music and fantasy tech
• Josie and the Pussycatsanimated girl-power band storyline with music and secret identity
• The Transformersanimated 1980s toy tie-in with a transforming hero team and kids adventure

Created by

Christy Marx

Release Date

1985-10-06

Episode runtime

7 min

Rating

7.4 / 10 (56)

What is Jem about?

A young music executive secretly becomes the glamorous pop star Jem with the help of a holographic computer, while her band rivals the Misfits.

What is Jem like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Jem as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Jem violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Jem.

What did critics think of Jem?

Viewers remember it fondly as a colorful, music-driven cartoon that felt like MTV for kids, with audience ratings reading as positive.

Which shows are like Jem?

Shows with a similar feel include He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, Josie and the Pussycats, and The Transformers.

How long is Jem?

Jem: 3 seasons, 75 episodes.

Is Jem still running?

No, Jem has ended.

Where can I watch Jem?

In United States, Jem streams on The Roku Channel, Plex, Plex Player, Plex Channel, Tubi TV.