ThunderCats was a tremendously successful offering. The nearly complete sell-thru of all but more costly Berserkers makes packaged collectible examples difficult to find. Loose figures are still plentiful at flea markets ten years after they were sold at retail. ThunderCats copied a page from Mattel's Masters of the Universe book in that the Lorimar Telepictures animated TV series was based on the toy line. Lorimar syndicated the program with LJN commercials in place open slots for local stations to sell. To encourage prime scheduling and perhaps an extra showing in another time slot, Lorimar/LJN offered cash spiffs back to TV stations based on toy sales in the market. This raised the ire of "child welfare" groups which were already up to their arms about what seemed to them to be half hour toy commercials. Expensive legal action was brought, and new rules were propagated to make it difficult for toy companies to produce their own shows. Now that producers and/or creators license the rights to toy companies, very little has changed…except now toys must cost more to cover all the licensing costs involved.

Each episode somehow evolved around the central theme of Evil Mutants trying to destroy the ThunderCats, obtain the Sword of Omens, and control Third Earth. Lion-O leads a community of cat-like characters against Mumm-Ra, an ancient mummy with the power to become young again and command superhuman strength. PVC "Companions" were tried with several major characters, and were added to the re-release of others. Articulated versions were later offered in the "Companions" series, which was apparently short lived because these are the most difficult to find in any form.

More collectors are beginning to ask for this series at shows attended by AFD. It could be a line to watch.