The season focuses on the misadventures of Gumball Watterson, a blue 12-year-old cat, along with his adopted brother, Darwin, a goldfish. Together, they cause mischief among their family, as well as with the wide array of students at Elmore Junior High, where they attend middle school. In a behind-the-scenes video documenting the production of the second season, creator Ben Bocquelet expanded on the development of some of the characters, and how they are based on interactions from his childhood.[1]
The fifth season began filming on March 3, 2016, and ended filming on May 12, 2017. On June 2, 2014, Cartoon Network announced that the series had been renewed a fourth and fifth season.[2] Both seasons combined will consist of 40 half-hour episodes.[3] The writers for this season were Nathan Auerbach, Daniel Berg, Ben Bocquelet, Joe Parham, Tobi Wilson, Andrew Jones, Ciaran Murtagh, Joe Markham, John Sheerman, Louise Coats, James Hamilton, James Huntrods, Jessica Ransom, Jon Foster, James Lamont, Brydie Lee-Kennedy, Simon Landrein, Timothy Mills, Tom Neenan, Jon Purkis, Jack Bernhardt, Bec Hill, Jonny Leigh-Wright, Joseph Pelling, and Becky Sloan. The storyboard artists for the season were Adrian Maganza, Aurelie Charbonnier Wandrille Maunoury, Cedric Guarneri, Oliver Hamilton, Richard Méril, Yani Ouabdesselam, Bianca Ansems, Kenneth Ladekjaer, and Chloé Nicolay. At the end of this episode, "The Copycats", Gumball and Darwin again received new voice actors due to the previous ones hitting puberty: Jacob Hopkins was replaced by Nicolas Cantu (as Gumball) and Terrell Ransom Jr. was replaced by Donielle Hansley Jr. (as Darwin), though the episode "The Ollie" leaked online and on most cable OnDemand programs in December, complete with end credits that reveal that the episode was made after Hopkins and Ransom were replaced.[4]
This season had an average of 998 thousand viewers per episode.[citation needed]
Miracle Star (Chinese: 奇奇妙乐星; pinyin: Qí qímiào lè xīng; lit. 'The Weird', 'Wonderful', 'and Delightful Star') is a Chinese children's animated comedy series created by Chinese food company Sanyuan Foods to promote a brand of goat milk of the same name. The show is best known for plagiarizing the British-American Cartoon Network show The Amazing World of Gumball.[5]
The series is about an anthropomorphic goat named Miao Le Xing (famously referred to as Kiki) and his talking pet frog named Gua-Gua (famously referred to as Quack) who lives in an apartment with their parents. Miracle Star is known for imitating the scenes, character designs and animation style of The Amazing World of Gumball.[6][7]
The series aired from 2014 to 2017, with a total of 12 episodes broadcast before being cancelled due to negative reviews.[8]
In response to the plagiarism, Cartoon Network released the 167th episode of Gumball, "The Copycats", to address Miracle Star's plagiarism more directly.[6]
As the episode continues when Gumball travels back to the events of the previous episode to prevent Rob from ruining his life, he finally gets revenge on Rob for framing him for the wrongdoings and causing yet another disaster at the mall, but Gumball saves Rob from the Void and reverses the events before he disappears forever. Note: Both "The Disaster" and "The Rerun" are the second half-hour episode in the series (even though they are separate episodes in production code order)
158
2
"The Stories"
Antoine Perez
Ben Bocquelet, Andrew Jones, Ciaran Murtagh, Joe Parham, and Tobi Wilson
When everyone in school has had it with Molly's tedious stories, Gumball and Darwin have a plan to get her a new story she'll never forget. Note: This episode aired before "The Disaster" and "The Rerun" on American television so the season four episode "The Scam" can air in this season as a Halloween episode. On Hulu, "The Stories" airs as a season four episode.
159
3
"The Guy"
Mic Graves
Ben Bocquelet, Joe Markham, Joe Parham, John Sheerman, and Tobi Wilson
On a boring Saturday afternoon, Gumball and Darwin decide to find something interesting to do — only to either miss out or pass by all of the weird events happening around them. Guest star: J. G. Quintel as Hi-Five Ghost and Peter Browngardt (uncredited) as Uncle Grandpa Note: Characters from Clarence, Regular Show and Uncle Grandpa make cameo appearances.
161
5
"The Vision"
Antoine Perez
Ben Bocquelet, Joe Markham, Joe Parham, Jessica Ransom, John Sheerman, and Tobi Wilson
Gumball accidentally takes Alan's gym bag and finds a flash drive containing a manifesto outlining Alan's House of Cards-esque rise to power through Elmore Junior High's student council. But when they believe that Alan is plotting to take over the world, Gumball and Darwin go to extreme measures to stop Alan before he succeeds with his "diabolical plan".
162
6
"The Choices"
Mic Graves
Nathan Auerbach, Daniel Berg, Ben Bocquelet, Jon Foster, James Lamont, Joe Parham, and Tobi Wilson
During a disastrous dinner at home, Nicole flashes back to her childhood, where she first met Richard while trying to make it to a karate tournament, and wonders what life would be like if she never met him.
163
7
"The Code"
Mic Graves
Ben Bocquelet, Andrew Jones, Joe Markham, Ciaran Murtagh, Joe Parham, Jessica Ransom, John Sheerman, and Tobi Wilson
After the wifi goes down (and Richard confesses that their connection is from the Robinsons as the Wattersons' credit is so bad, they cannot afford to get the Internet for themselves), Gumball and Darwin try to live without Internet by making real-life equivalents of everything associated with the Internet (email, social media, gaming, leaving bad reviews for products and services). When that does not work, the Watterson kids decide to go into Mr. Robinson's account.
164
8
"The Test"
Antoine Perez
Nathan Auerbach, Daniel Berg, Ben Bocquelet, Joe Markham, Joe Parham, Jessica Ransom, John Sheerman, and Tobi Wilson
Aurelie Carbonnier, Oliver Hamilton, and Adrian Maganza
Gumball takes an online test and is labeled a "loser", so he decides to keep in all of his sarcastic remarks...which makes Gumball sick and turns his reality into an overly-clichéd family sitcom starring Tobias.
165
9
"The Slide"
Mic Graves
Ben Bocquelet, James Hamilton, James Huntrods, Joe Parham, and Tobi Wilson
Gumball and Darwin try to teach Bobert to help people, but he keeps taking things literally. When they tell him to protect life at all cost and to stop any potential dangers, he decides to eradicate all life on Earth.
167
11
"The Copycats"
Mic Graves
Ben Bocquelet, James Hamilton, James Huntrods, Joe Markham, and Tobi Wilson
The Wattersons square off against a family said to be knock-offs of them by challenging them to a series of bizarre and dangerous stunts. Note: This is the last episode in which Jacob Hopkins and Terrell Ransom, Jr. voice Gumball and Darwin, and at the end of this episode Nicolas Cantu and Donielle Hansley, Jr. represent their new voices as the two main characters. Also, the doppelgänger family is based on Miracle Star, an actual Chinese knockoff of Gumball.
168
12
"The Potato"
Mic Graves
Mic Graves, Andrew Jones, Joe Markham, Ciaran Murtagh, Jessica Ransom, and Tobi Wilson
Darwin quits eating potatoes after fearing he may have offended Idaho by eating them in front of him. Note: This is the first full episode with Nicolas Cantu and Donielle Hansley as Gumball and Darwin after represent their new voices at the end of this episode "The Copycats", replacing Jacob Hopkins and Terrell Ransom, Jr. due to the latters' voices changing from puberty.
169
13
"The Fuss"
Antoine Perez
Ben Bocquelet, James Hamilton, James Huntrods, Joe Markham, Joe Parham, and Tobi Wilson
When the family visits Richard's estranged dad, Frankie, who lives in a trailer in the town dump, they assume that he has done time in prison based on his extended absence from Richard's life and try to make him feel more at home by turning their home into a jailhouse. Guest star:Rich Fulcher as Frankie Watterson Note: While Darwin is starting as one of the main characters, he was the non-speaking role for this episode.
171
15
"The Vase"
Mic Graves
Ben Bocquelet, Mic Graves, James Hamilton, James Huntrods, Joe Markham, Joe Parham, Jessica Ransom, and Tobi Wilson
Sick of Granny Jojo's ugly gifts, Nicole encourages the kids to take matters into their own hands and unintentionally break her latest hideous vase, but it backfires when it is completely indestructible. Upon learning that Granny Jojo gave the wrong vase to her, Nicole must prevent the kids from destroying it at a junkyard.
172
16
"The Matchmaker"
Antoine Perez
Ben Bocquelet, Mic Graves, James Hamilton, Andrew Jones, Joe Markham, Ciaran Murtagh, Joe Parham, and Tobi Wilson
When Gumball is given a cursed video game console, Elmore turns into a fantasy RPG video game. Gumball, Darwin, and Anais must save the town by going back to reality before it's too late.
175
19
"The Ollie"
Antoine Perez and Simon Landrein
Ben Bocquelet, James Hamilton, James Huntrods, Simon Landrein, Joe Markham, Timothy Mills, Joe Parham, and Tobi Wilson
Gumball teaches Darwin everything he knows about the world of skateboarding -- which, in this case, is a bunch of lies and exaggeration. Note: This episode was first released online on December 1, 2016.
176
20
"The Catfish"
Antoine Perez
Ben Bocquelet, James Hamilton, James Huntrods, Joe Markham, Joe Parham, Jessica Ransom, and Tobi Wilson
Gumball and Darwin realize Grandpa Louie has no friends, so they create one called Muriel (using the picture of a woman) for him, but when Granny Jojo finds out Louie has been spending time online with another "woman", Muriel not existing will not stop her from being destroyed.
177
21
"The Cycle"
Antoine Perez
Ben Bocquelet, James Hamilton, Andrew Jones, Ciaran Murtagh, Joe Parham, Jessica Ransom, and Tobi Wilson
Gumball, Darwin, and Anais help Richard get his revenge on Tobias' father, Harold, who has been bullying him since he set him up to be prom king in high school.
178
22
"The Stars"
Mic Graves
Ben Bocquelet, Mic Graves, Andrew Jones, Joe Markham, Ciaran Murtagh, Joe Parham, and Tobi Wilson
When Richard gives Larry the hairdresser a bad review for saying he’s bald, he gets offered a free haircut. This inspires Gumball and Darwin to go on a reviewing spree and target wherever Larry works (which is practically all over Elmore), forcing him to give them things with the threat of a bad review -- and everyone else to become paranoid of saying or doing anything in fear of getting zero stars.
Miss Simian discovers a failed test from Gumball’s past that brings down his grade point average and forces Gumball to go back to kindergarten. However, with Gumball demoted, Miss Simian has put herself in danger of being fired for not having enough students, so she must make Gumball pass his latest exam by any means necessary.
180
24
"The Diet"
Mic Graves
Ben Bocquelet, Mic Graves, James Hamilton, James Huntrods, Joe Markham, Joe Parham, Jessica Ransom, and Tobi Wilson
When Gumball learns that his nemesis, Rob (formerly known as Dr. Wrecker), has found a new nemesis, Banana Joe, Gumball must break Rob and Banana Joe's enemy-ship by making him come back to be his nemesis again, much to the frustration of Penny, who has grown sick of Gumball telling her stories about his encounters with Rob.
182
26
"The Sorcerer"
Antoine Perez
Jack Bernhardt, Ben Bocquelet, Joe Markham, Joe Parham, and Tobi Wilson
Gumball refuses to accept he is the only kid at school with no special powers and convinces Mrs. Jötunheim, Hector's mom, to take him on as her apprentice -- and ends up unleashing a giant, literal Internet troll on Elmore.
183
27
"The Menu"
Mic Graves
Ben Bocquelet, James Hamilton, James Huntrods, and Tobi Wilson
The prize jewel on the secret Joyful Burger menu is a mysterious burger, but to order it, a customer needs to know its name. When Larry refuses to tell the Wattersons what it is called, Richard, Gumball and Darwin go to super-sized lengths to find out.
184
28
"The Uncle"
Antoine Perez
Jack Bernhardt, Ben Bocquelet, Mic Graves, James Hamilton, James Huntrods, Joe Markham, and Tobi Wilson
Gumball and Darwin try to help Sussie be less of a weirdo after seeing her get bullied...until they learn what it is like to be her by putting on her plastic, googly eyes.
186
30
"The Heist"
Mic Graves
Ben Bocquelet, Mic Graves, James Hamilton, Joe Markham, Tom Neenan, Jon Purkis, and Tobi Wilson
A mishap with a motorcycle helmet leads Richard with $2 million from the Elmore Bank. With the police (incompetently) trying to find the robber, the Wattersons squabble over whether the money should be returned (and have all of them face a life sentence for accidental bank robbery) or if they should spend it (as they sorely need the money).
187
31
"The Singing"
Antoine Perez
Ben Bocquelet, Mic Graves, James Hamilton, Joe Markham, Tom Neenan, Jon Purkis, and Tobi Wilson
Bianca Ansems, Oliver Hamilton, and Adrian Maganza
The people of Elmore enjoy a day of singing, while Nicole throws out the showerhead that started the singing in the first place. Note: This is the first episode of the entire series where Gumball is not shown or mentioned.
188
32
"The Best"
Antoine Perez
Ben Bocquelet, James Hamilton, James Huntrods, Joe Markham, Joe Parham, Jessica Ransom, and Tobi Wilson
Carmen continuously annoys Gumball by criticizing his standards. After trying and failing to get back at her, he discovers her past as a troublemaking student at Franklin Jr. High and tries to upload a news clip of her arrest/expulsion onto Elmore Stream-It.
189
33
"The Worst"
Mic Graves
Ben Bocquelet, James Hamilton, Joe Markham, Tom Neenan, Jon Purkis, Jessica Ransom, and Tobi Wilson
The Wattersons come home angry, believing they have the worst day due to age and sex discrimination, so they decide to swap sexes and age in order to find out who has it tougher: men, women, adults, or children.
190
34
"The Deal"
Mic Graves
Ben Bocquelet, Mic Graves, James Hamilton, Bec Hill, Joe Markham, Jessica Ransom, and Jonny Leigh-Wright
When Nicole finally gets a raise and becomes the employee of the month, Richard feels he does not get appreciated for being a stay-at-home father. But when he shows Nicole what he does to get the kids fed, clean, and ready for school and Nicole calls him out for it, Richard goes on strike and the house goes to pot when the children become Gremlins-esque demons.
191
35
"The Petals"
Mic Graves
Ben Bocquelet, James Hamilton, James Huntrods, Joe Markham, Jessica Ransom, and Tobi Wilson
When Leslie begins wilting, Gumball and Darwin do what they can to help their floral pal look beautiful -- and Leslie ends up running scared when Gumball reveals a grisly solution to Leslie's wilting problem.
192
36
"The Puppets"
Mic Graves, Joseph Pelling, and Becky Sloan
Ben Bocquelet, Louise Coats, James Hamilton, Tom Neenan, Joseph Pelling, Jon Purkis, Becky Sloan, and Tobi Wilson
While searching for old things to sell at their mother's garage sale, Darwin finds a box of puppets that Gumball wants thrown out, but Darwin, not wanting to let go of his favorite childhood toys, begins playing with them... and the duo end up in a bizarre puppet land where their childhood toys want to play with them forever. Guest Stars: Becky Sloan and Baker Terry as Grady, Frankie, and Howdy Note: Puppets were performed by This Is It (the collective behind the YouTube series, "Don't Hug Me I'm Scared")
193
37
"The Nuisance"
Mic Graves
Jack Bernhardt, Ben Bocquelet, James Hamilton, Joe Markham, Jessica Ransom, and Tobi Wilson
The Wattersons fear the worst when their mayor (formerly a real estate mogul) offers them the chance to be model citizens to avoid being thrown out of Elmore... and when The Wattersons turn human (with Darwin as their pet dog) and the mayor reveals that he is gentrifying the neighborhood so only rich people will live there, The Wattersons do what they can to make Elmore unattractive to potential buyers.This episode first aired in Italy on October 10, 2017.[51]
194
38
"The Line"
Mic Graves
Mic Graves, James Hamilton, James Huntrods, Brydie Lee-Kennedy, Joe Markham, Jessica Ransom, and Tobi Wilson
The Wattersons and all of Elmore do whatever it takes to be the first ones at the new screening of the Star Wars-esque sci-fi space drama, Stellar Odyssey Colon: The Force Rehashed.This episode first aired in Italy on October 17, 2017.[51]
195
39
"The List"
Antoine Perez
Ben Bocquelet, James Hamilton, Brydie Lee-Kennedy, Joe Markham, Joe Parham, Jessica Ransom, and Tobi Wilson
When Gumball and Darwin discover that Nicole had to give up her life goals to be a wife and mother, the duo decide to help her out by doing her chores... and end up taking the goal list she made when she was sixteen years old.This episode first aired in Italy on October 13 and in Spain on October 26, 2017.[51]
196
40
"The News"
Antoine Perez
Nathan Auerbach, Daniel Berg, Ben Bocquelet, Joe Parham, and Tobi Wilson
Join desk anchor Kip Schlezinger and his field reporter, Mike (the microphone-headed reporter first seen on "The Oracle"), as they cover all of Elmore's goings-on on the Channel 6 News, from a robbery at Joyful Burger to Daisy the Donkey's on-air meltdown during a show taping.This episode first aired in Africa on July 23, 2017. In the African airing, Kip Schlezinger was portrayed as a live-action human (the same one seen on such episodes as "The Pizza," "The Nest," and "The Signal") played by Gumball crew member, Rich Overall.[57] In all other airings (including UK reruns and airings on Cartoon Network's American channel), however, Kip was changed to an anthropomorphic newspaper puppet (the original cut also had the science correspondent and the sports anchor as humans while the redone version had the science correspondent as a lab rat while the sports anchor is a puppet made from a "We're #1" foam finger, a novelty wig, and an airhorn). According to Ben Bocquelet, the change was done because no one besides him liked the live-action version, which also explains why this episode was held back from airing, as it originally was supposed to premiere after "The Heist".[58]